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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick & Karen Antcliff

BBC The One Show's Alex Jones brings up Ronan Keating's 'callous' Strictly remark

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Fleur East was in the spotlight this week after being placed in the bottom two of the BBC dance show with her professional dance partner Vito Coppola. However, it was an interview with The One Show host Alex Jones and Ronan Keating that has raised laughs and eyebrows.

Fleur was recalling the events of the 'dance off' after repeating The Little Mermaid-inspired American Smooth routine on Strictly. The rapper and radio presenter, alongside pro Vito, competed against Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice to stay in the competition.

Dressed as Timon and Pumba, Richie and Giovanni's samba to Hakuna Matata from The Lion King wasn't enough to keep them in the show as Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel-Horwood unanimously voted to save Fleur and Vito. While her vote made no difference to the result, head judge Shirley Ballas sparked an outcry by revealing she'd have opted to save Richie and Giovanni.

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During the interview with The One Show hosts, Fleur discussed the 'red light of doom' landing on her so early in the series in week three, according to Manchester Evening News. "You must prepare mentally," she was asked. And Fleur admitted how hard it was to reprise her dance.

"You're so nervous," she explained. "You work hard all week for that one performance and then to have to do it again and go up against someone that you like. Our group is so tight. We genuinely are rooting for everybody."

She added: "My initial reaction when I knew that they had saved me, I didn't even celebrate. I just looked at Richie straight away and went ...(pulls sad face)."

Alex then caused surprise by adding, deadpan: "Well, as Ronan said earlier, callous some would say, somebody's got to go." "Did I say that?" Ronan asked with amazement as Alex and Fleur burst out laughing. "He's a lovely boy," said Alex reassuringly as she placed her hand on Ronan's shoulder.

Later, as Fleur revealed that this weekend she would be performing the Argentine Tango, Boyzone star Ronan had his turn to wind-up Alex. Alex had competed on Strictly in 2011. He told their guest: "As Alex said earlier, it's the hardest dance." "Shut up," she told him jokingly. "Why would you tell me this?" gasped Fleur. And Ronan told her: "She didn't really."

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