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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

Strictly fans mock 'borderline offensive' Irish jig opening number

There's a different theme each week and Strictly Come Dancing fans were treated to an Irish jig for the opening number of Sunday night's results show.

The BBC dance show's professional dancers gave it their all during a high-energy routine set in an Irish boozer.

But Strictly viewers were left scratching their heads over the choice of song as they jigged to The Safety Dance by Canadian synth-pop band Men Without Hats.

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"Ah yes, that ancient Irish folk song 'The Safety Dance'. I bet my ancestors danced to it nightly in rural Cork," mocked one viewer on Twitter.

Fans said pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin was a dead ringer for Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic (BBC)

"My Irish husband is sitting here deeply distressed," commented another.

Another remarked: "This opening number is just weird."

"Awful! If you're going to do something at least do it properly. Celtic is Irish, Scottish and Welsh," said another.

While another asked: "SAFETY DANCE?!?!????"

The professionals performed an Irish jig (BBC)

And another viewer fumed: "Trying to emulate the scene from Titanic but borderline offensive instead.

"Two token Irish dancers brought in amongst the stomping and leeching male performances that the 'cailins' are 'only delighted with.' "Really poor show. And of course the setting is a pub. Go maith. Not."

And another commented with an unimpressed-face emoji: "An Irish themed dance set in a PUB??? Oh wow SHOCKER."

But others gave the routine the firm thumbs-up.

"Love this opening dance," said one.

"Finally a bit of Irish dancing on #strictly," cheered another.

"Best opening routine ever - full of energy," enthused another.

While others said it reminded them of the romantic Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet movie Titanic.

And they said pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin was a dead ringer for Leo.

"Here’s me watching Strictly thinking they were doing the Irish dance scene from Titanic I was like 'oh there’s Jack… wonder who Rose will be?!’ Lolol," said one.

"Nikita is literally Leonardo Dicaprio," remarked another.

"Nikita is really giving me Jack Dawson at the party in third class," another fan tweeted.

"Strictly I always said Nikita reminded me of Leonardo DiCaprio," another viewer pointed out.

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