Ed Balls loses Strictly’s first Cha Cha Challenge after channelling Zoolander for 'hilarious' tango

The former Shadow Chancellor's Blue Steel got mixed reactions
Blue steel: Ed Balls channels his inner model for this week's tango
BBC
Jennifer Ruby28 November 2016

Ed Balls came out bottom during Strictly Come Dancing’s first ever Cha Cha Challenge.

The former Shadow Chancellor received just one point from the judges after his performance was dubbed the worst during the new dance-off on Saturday night.

While the politician didn’t seem surprised that he was bottom of the pile, Judge Rinder looked shocked as he came second to last.

Louise Redknapp was given six points after coming out on top, followed by Danny Mac and Ore Oduba.

Balls came bottom of this week’s leaderboard after his modelling-inspired tango got a mixed reaction from the judges.

“You’re like junk food. You know you shouldn't have it but you can’t help wanting more,” said Bruno Tonioli.

“You’re constantly hunched over, splayed hands, all the things I can’t stand. It was committed and I think after that you could be committed,” said Craig Revel Horwood.

Len Goodman went on to say that while Balls wasn’t the judges’ first choice, he is ‘the people’s champion’.

Strictly Come Dancing 2016 - who's been eliminated so far?

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Viewers were split over Ball’s performance, with some dubbing his Blue Steel the ‘best thing’ about this week’s show and others calling for him to leave.

“The worst bit about Strictly is when people dance competently. The best bit is when Ed Balls is on. #Strictly #edballs,” wrote one person on Twitter.

"Best dance of the night as usual!!! Hilarious!! Go Ed!!! #EdBalls #SCD #Strictly," wrote another.

“Seriously get him out. #edballs #Strictly,” someone else posted.

Some viewers thought that the introduction of the Cha Cha Challenge was a way to get Balls booted off the show.

“Chacha challenge just a way to get rid of #edballs #Strictly scared he might actually win,” one person posted.

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