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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers spot 'cheat' move as Helen Skelton dazzles in 'gorgeous' dress

Strictly Come Dancing viewers believe they have spotted what they think is a 'cheat' move as Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez took to the floor for their first performance of the evening. And while the complaint wasn't specifically about them, the issue was spotted during their routine.

The Countryfile host and the Spanish dancer kicked off their semi-final of the BBC One dance contest with a waltz to Only One Road by Celine Dion. Helen, 39, wowed fans in an elegant white and gold number as she glided around the ballroom floor with her partner.

The pair scored 35 out of a possible 40 for the routine, with former Blue Peter star Helen being told she did "extremely well" by head judge Shirley Ballas. She added: "It was a dreamy performance, I think the friendship and bond you two have formed showed in this waltz."

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans say it's 'illegal' as they spot issue with the semi-final

Motsi Mabuse commented: "For me, I thought magic. This is creating those special moments that make Strictly Come Dancing what it is, to see what a team you two have become week-on-week, to make it your own, thank you for that.” While Anton Du Beke, who has given her the most 10s out of the judging panel this season, said: "That was beautiful, it was soft and romantic. All in all, I thought that was a gorgeous dance."

But Craig Revel Horwood did pick fault as he said there was a "bit of gapping" and that Helen's performance was "slightly rigid". However, he did end on a positive note as he described her as a "beautiful dancer".

Strictly viewers, however, were, as mentioned, picking out what they felt was a distraction in the couple's first of two performances of the night. @duckyyucky tweeted: "I always feel it’s a bit of a cheat when they have dry ice on #Strictly - surely that’s hiding any possible dodgy footwork?"

@Samanth22356123 asked: "How can they judge the footwork with all the dry ice?! #Strictly." @kaz_evs echoed: "How are we supposed to see footwork with all that dry ice???? #Strictly." @jomob72 posted: "Dry ice covering feet in a dance competition...*sigh* #strictly." @MsAmyzing typed: "Oh, how I hate dry ice on #Strictly."

@SuzDowson73 shared: "A beautiful waltz. A little difficult to see footwork with the dry ice but looked fantastic. #strictly." @ESCarmchair added: "HELEN waltz - did it really need that dry ice?!?! A simple silhouette which helped hone in on the feet - and she was smiling! Precise and intricate footwork. Showed flowing movement around the room but her back and neck looked a stiff for me Sometimes less is more 9 #strictly."

Meanwhile, others wanted to compliment Helen on how 'gorgeous' she looked. @deniseaoc tweeted: "Helen's dress and matching hair scrunching are so gorge #Strictly #scd." @strictlyblog said: "Helen’s dress is gorgeous, I feel like she should be allowed to take it home #Strictly."

@dowdensjowita wrote: "Helen skelton you are beautiful and deserve the world #strictly." @x_emily___ commented: "Helen’s Waltz Dress is Stunning #Strictly." @bethanysofiax shared: "Helen looks stunning #strictly." @wanderesc1 added: "Helen looks amazing, her dress is stunning #strictly."

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