Strictly’s Jacqui Smith’s pals defend her dancing after she is compared to party drunk
EXCLUSIVE: A friend of Jacqui Smith’s claims there wasn’t “enough recognition” of fact she was a “complete novice”
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Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was booted off Strictly on Sunday night – as friends defended her performance after her moves were compared to a “drunk” at a party.
She got her marching orders after judge Craig Revel-Horwood sneered at her samba: “I thought you actually severed your Achilles tendon through that. You were limping about, lost at a party somewhere drunk.”
But pals leapt to her defence saying she wasn’t given enough credit for the technical dances she had to perform.
One said: “The criticism from Craig is water off a duck’s back for Jacqui who has survived many a political storm.
“Fair enough she wasn’t the most proficient dancer – but remember she is a complete novice yet was given two of the toughest dances in week one and two – a samba and a foxtrot.
“It was really, really challenging. There wasn’t enough recognition of that.”
Jacqui hit the dancefloor with Strictly pro Anton Du Beke, her routines climaxing with her perched on a swing adorned with feathers.
But the Labour politician’s performance failed to fly with the panel and the couple scored 12 leaving them bottom of the leaderboard with 25.
The 57-year-old lost in the dance-off to reality TV regular Jamie Laing who finished on 31.
Jamie and partner Karen Hauer reprised their American Smooth to Night And Day by Frank Sinatra against Jacqui and Anton’s samba to Help Yourself by Sir Tom Jones. All three judges, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Revel Horwood, voted to save Jamie.
Despite Craig’s cruel jibes, Oti said: “First of all I’dlike to say both couples did very well. I felt both picked up a notch this time. “I just have to say that for me personally I think one couple was a little bit on a higher level so I’m going to save Jamie and Karen.”
Jacqui’s departure means fan favourite Du Beke will leave early. The 54-year-old has often been partnered with celebs unlikely to find success on the show.
After being eliminated, Jacqui said: “I had the greatest adventure it’s possible to imagine. I’m just sorry I can’t continue it with this man who has been absolutely fantastic to be with.”
Anton added: “Well I’ve loved every second of being in the studio with you. You have a shocking sense of humour I can’t begin to tell you.”
Judge Bruno Tonioli, now in the US, is expected to return later in the series.
Saturday’s show saw viewing figures shoot up from last week with an average of 10.6 million tuning in, the BBC said.
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