By Anita Singh -
When you're competing for laughs with Ann Widdecombe, being a Strictly Come Dancing contestant can't be easy. Yet Gavin Henson provided the most entertaining moment of Saturday night's show by planting a kiss on the lips of judge Bruno Tonioli.
The tongue-in-cheek start to Henson's quickstep routine went down a storm in the studio, where the audience gave him a standing ovation. However, the joke proved a step too far for some Strictly viewers, who failed to see the funny side.
Online messageboards were filled with complaints. "Thought Gavin's performance was good tonight but I think everyone needs to remember it's a family show and having to explain that awful kiss to children does get awkward," said one. Another wrote: "My 76 year old mum loves this show but she was really upset with 'the kiss'. She's a live and let live sort of person but she does not want to watch men kissing men. Let's not forget it's supposed to be a family show."
On the official BBC forum, one message read: "I have just had to rewind! What sort of tactic is that?" while another said: "Well I hated that - when they did straight quickstep I thought he showed great improvement but all the gimmicks from the kiss onwards I hated." Another post described it as "tacky" and "a cheap tactic, whatever the gender of those involved". Others thought it was great fun. "The kiss was funny and greatly added to the entertainment. Bruno's been flirting with Gavin for weeks and the kiss was a great punchline to that," said one.
After the routine, Bruce Forsyth joked: "I'd just to like to remind people that you are still watching Strictly Come Dancing." A flustered Tonioli gasped: "Am I dreaming? Let's do it all over again, I want to make sure it's for real."
A BBC insider laughed off the complaints, saying the kiss was part of a "cheeky routine" and was no different to Patsy Kensit kissing judge Len Goodman earlier in the series.
Ann Widdecombe's march to the final continued when the viewers voted to save her once again. For once, she played it straight and avoided the gimmicks of past performances, which have included entering the studio on a flying trapeze. However, the judges were unmoved and awarded her the lowest marks of the night, calling her routine with Anton du Beke "laboured" and "disorientated". The former Home Office minister was unfazed by the criticism. When Tonioli admonished her for looking down at the floor throughout her routine, she retorted: "Well, that's to see where my feet are going."
Michelle Williams became the sixth celebrity to be voted off the show last night after her paso doble with partner Brendan Cole placed her bottom of the leader board.
Felicity Kendal, who was among the favourites to win when the show began, narrowly escaped being sent home.
Ratings for Saturday's show were the highest of the series so far, peaking at 12.6 million.
When you're competing for laughs with Ann Widdecombe, being a Strictly Come Dancing contestant can't be easy. Yet Gavin Henson provided the most entertaining moment of Saturday night's show by planting a kiss on the lips of judge Bruno Tonioli.
The tongue-in-cheek start to Henson's quickstep routine went down a storm in the studio, where the audience gave him a standing ovation. However, the joke proved a step too far for some Strictly viewers, who failed to see the funny side.
Online messageboards were filled with complaints. "Thought Gavin's performance was good tonight but I think everyone needs to remember it's a family show and having to explain that awful kiss to children does get awkward," said one. Another wrote: "My 76 year old mum loves this show but she was really upset with 'the kiss'. She's a live and let live sort of person but she does not want to watch men kissing men. Let's not forget it's supposed to be a family show."
On the official BBC forum, one message read: "I have just had to rewind! What sort of tactic is that?" while another said: "Well I hated that - when they did straight quickstep I thought he showed great improvement but all the gimmicks from the kiss onwards I hated." Another post described it as "tacky" and "a cheap tactic, whatever the gender of those involved". Others thought it was great fun. "The kiss was funny and greatly added to the entertainment. Bruno's been flirting with Gavin for weeks and the kiss was a great punchline to that," said one.
After the routine, Bruce Forsyth joked: "I'd just to like to remind people that you are still watching Strictly Come Dancing." A flustered Tonioli gasped: "Am I dreaming? Let's do it all over again, I want to make sure it's for real."
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Ann Widdecombe's march to the final continued when the viewers voted to save her once again. For once, she played it straight and avoided the gimmicks of past performances, which have included entering the studio on a flying trapeze. However, the judges were unmoved and awarded her the lowest marks of the night, calling her routine with Anton du Beke "laboured" and "disorientated". The former Home Office minister was unfazed by the criticism. When Tonioli admonished her for looking down at the floor throughout her routine, she retorted: "Well, that's to see where my feet are going."
Michelle Williams became the sixth celebrity to be voted off the show last night after her paso doble with partner Brendan Cole placed her bottom of the leader board.
Felicity Kendal, who was among the favourites to win when the show began, narrowly escaped being sent home.
Ratings for Saturday's show were the highest of the series so far, peaking at 12.6 million.
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