Strictly Come Dancing fans expressed their sympathy for Karen Hauer, suggesting that her celebrity partner Paul Merson seemed disinterested in the competition. The popular BBC show returned to our screens on Saturday night, with 15 celebrities hoping to impress both the judges and viewers at home. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman resumed their usual hosting duties following last week's successful series opener.
Ex-footballer Paul and his partner Karen performed the first salsa of the new series to Pitbull's Fireball but failed to win over the judges, scoring a mere 15 points. Anton Du Beke described Paul as "extraordinary", but criticised his lack of technique. Craig Revel Horwood didn't hold back, likening the performance to a "comedy dance at a wedding".
Despite the crowd's boos, he continued: "It was really not good. You were glued to the floor and Karen did everything dancing around you." However, he did commend Paul on his lifts, describing them as "very very good".
Viewers quickly took to social media to share their reactions, with many noticing tension between Karen and Paul, reports the Mirror . One viewer tweeted: "#Strictly somebody save Kren I feel so sorry for Karen. #scd #strictly.
" Another fan observed: " Paul Merson clearly doesn't want to be there #Strictly." A viewer lamented: "Would love it one year if they just let the 'older' celebs like Paul Merson have a fair shot without turning them into the joke act. Not fair on them and not fair on the pro.
#strictly..
