Strictly Come Dancing fans have slammed the semi-final of the BBC show and branded it a ‘fix’.

Former TOWIE star Pete Wicks, 36, and his dance partner Jowita Przystal missed out on a place in the final during the Results Show as they lost the dreaded dance-off for the first time against Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri.

After scoring the lowest from the public and the judges, both Pete and Tasha put their best foot forward for the dreaded dance off – but viewers were left furious that it was them who were forced to battle it out.

Several viewers flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to claim that the BBC show ‘is a fix’ after Pete was voted out of the competition. Meanwhile, others claimed that comedian Chris McCausland should not still be in the competition.

There were emotional scenes on Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday, as Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał said their goodbyes ( 
Image:
PA)

“It’s an absolute joke that Tasha is in the dance off and Chris, who was in the bottom 2 on the leaderboard has gone through. A complete fix,” one fumed.

“These results feel like an absolute fix in my opinion,” someone else echoed. While a third complained: “I don’t understand how both Chris and Tasha – an undeserving professional dancer already – have made it to the final. Something very fishy going on.”

Ultimately, it was Pete’s turn to leave Strictly. While many will miss the TOWIE star on their screens, some Strictly fans feel he lasted longer in the competition than he should of and accused the judges of showing favouritism.

Taking to Instagram as his exit aired on BBC One, Pete seeming addressed the criticism as he told fans you “don’t always have to be the best or have the most talent” to excel.

Pete didn’t make it to the final ( 
Image:
PA)
He penned: “The past 3-4 months have been nothing short of incredible. I spent 12 weeks saying my time in the show was gonna be over and each week I was wrong…until now. I couldn’t be happier with the way it ended, there is no one I would have rather been in a dance off with than Tasha. She is the most beautiful dancer, the most beautiful person inside and out and I’m so proud of her for making the final because she deserves it so much.

Pete continued: “The only reason I stayed in the show for so long is because of you, the people. You supported me throughout and that is something I’ll never be able to forget and something I never expected. We went on this journey together, the ups and downs and with the right attitude, it’s about learning and it’s about entertaining.

“I tried my best from day 1 and I took the show seriously, I did what I could and I appreciate every single one of you that gave me the opportunity to keep doing that week on week. You don’t always have to be the best or have the most talent, but you should never stop trying! Thank you.

“The show isn’t just what you see on a Saturday night, it’s not all jazz hands…there are an unbelievable amount of wonderful people that make it all happen. From top to bottom, the people that make the show are f**king magical. Every department is full of people who care, who create and work so hard to make Strictly what it is. Thank you all for putting up with me for so long!”

Pete thanked Jowita in his leaving speech ( 
Image:
PA)Don’t Miss
Pete concluded: “Lastly but most importantly, this experience wouldn’t have been anything without Jowita. She believed in me since the first day and never stopped. She supported me, listened to me, made me laugh and cry but most of all she made me believe in myself when I didn’t think I could do it.

“We did everything our way, and for me that was the right way. I’m so sorry that I couldn’t get you to a final, I tried my best and you deserve to be there. The show may have ended for us but one thing won’t, you will always have a friend in me. You have become such a special person in my life and just because that won’t continue on a ballroom floor doesn’t mean it won’t continue. Unfortunately for you, you’ve gained a friend for life. You will always be my dancing gnome.