Strictly’s Mike Bushell sparks ‘fix’ claims by saying he’s already booked a hotel for Blackpool in two weeks’ time
STRICTLY’S Mike Bushell has sparked ‘fix’ claims once again after confessing that he’s booked himself a hotel room in Blackpool, two weeks before the milestone show.
Every year, the celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners aim to make it to Blackpool Tower’s famous ballroom.
Despite being in the dance-off three times already, Mike admitted that he has booked a room in the town with his own money and will go to the show even if he exits the ballroom stalwart before then.
Speaking to the Daily Star, he said: “I’ve always wanted to go to Blackpool. I was going along to support the others. I’m going to Blackpool whatever.
“I’ve booked the hotel and I’ve paid for it myself and I’m going to cheer everyone else on.
“If I’m there as part of the competition that would be amazing and be a bonus but I’m going anyway to cheer them all on.”
His admission comes after Strictly fans were up in arms once again on Sunday and accused the judges of being ‘biased’ by saving BBC Breakfast star Mike.
Viewers were stunned when Emma Weymouth was sent packing over Mike – despite the fact that he appeared to make a mistake in the dance off when Katya Jones messed up a lift during their Charleston.
While judge Bruno Tonioli pointed out the error was actually Katya’s fault, not Mike’s, fans were still unimpressed that the pair survived – especially as they have been in the dance off for three weeks in a row.
And the decision baffled viewers at home, who took to social media to share their outrage.
In light of the furore, Mike’s friends at the BBC defended their colleague on Monday told viewers “he was better” than Viscountess Emma in the dance off.
But BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker said: “I’m getting increasingly annoyed with people giving [Mike] grief. Some of it is getting a bit cruel.
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“All he’s doing is enjoying himself. He’s trying really hard and all four of the judges said he was the better performer in the dance off than the Viscountess who went home.”
On Tuesday, the Glitterball hopeful appeared on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two with Katya and admitted he was sorry to see Emma and her pro partner Aljaž Škorjanec leave.
He said: “I felt really sorry for Em and Aljaž, it’s horrible, we gave them a big hug. It’s out of your hands though.”
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