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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Lisa McLoughlin

Strictly Come Dancing bosses axe pro dancers’ ice-themed routine after Solihull lake tragedy

The pre-recorded group dance never aired

(Picture: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing bosses axed an ice-themed performance by the professional dancers from Monday’s results show following the Solihull lake tragedy.

West Midlands Police confirmed on December 12 that three boys aged 11, 10 and eight had died after being pulled from an icy lake in Babbs Mill Park on Sunday while a fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

It is claimed that show bosses removed the dance, which was filmed on Sunday, from the final edit, in the aftermath of the devastating incident.

Fans shared their confusion on Twitter on Monday, following the results show, as to why there was no pro routine when presenter Tess Daly had teased one featuring judge Craig Revel Horwood.

One tweeted: “So what happen to the pro dance in #Strictly? Didn’t they tease that Craig was gonna be in it?”

“Where was the pro dance? Didn’t Tess say Craig was going to be involved with it tonight?” another remarked.

The performance featured judge Craig Revel Horwood dressed as an ice queen (BBC)

In the wake of fans’ tweets, a BBC spokesperson confirmed that the group dance was removed “in light of tragic news events”.

They told The Standard: “In light of tragic news events, we took the decision not to broadcast the group dance on this week’s results show.”

A source also told The Sun that it was an easy decision to cut the performance among production in light of the tragedy.

The insider shared: “Strictly knew they could not air the dance in light of the awful news from Solihull. Naturally everyone on the show agreed and the decision was made not to air the performance.”

On Tuesday, tributes were paid to an “amazing” boy who died trying to rescue three others who had fallen into an icy lake in Solihull.

Locals named Jack Johnson, 10, as one of the three boys who died in the freezing lake after hearing their screams and running in to their aid.

Jack’s aunt Charlotte McIlmurray claimed he had bravely entered the water to rescue the three other boys.

The boys aged eight, 10 and 11 died after falling through ice into a lake in Solihull in the West Midlands (PA)

She posted on Facebook to thank the tight-knit community who held an overnight vigil at the park. She said: “Our family is all over the place but we all appreciate every prayer, apology and condolence to us. Thank you, you are all being amazing.

“The 10-year-old boy is my nephew. He saw one go through the ice and he ran and tried to save them.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with the other family. We are just broken over it. To find out he died trying to save 3 lads he didn’t even know, that just sums him up. He was amazing.”

She added: “This is a nightmare that families can’t wake from. The pain is unimaginable, he was my nephew so I know the pain is a million times worse for their mums.”

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