Strictly Come Dancing ‘race row’ sparked for second week as Naga Munchetty is voted off show

Munchetty was voted off after Tameka Empson and Melvin Odoom
Out: Naga Munchetty with her partner Pasha Kovalev
BBC / Guy Levy
Emma Powell19 October 2016

Strictly Come Dancing found itself at the centre of another ‘race row’ after Naga Munchetty became the third celebrity to be booted off.

The BBC news reader danced a mermaid themed Charleston with her partner Pasha Kovalev, but lost out to Anastacia in the dance-off.

Munchetty’s elimination comes a week after Tameka Empson was voted off, and two weeks after Melvin Odoom was controversially booted out on the public vote after an injury prevented Anastacia from taking part in a dance-off.

Following Munchetty’s exit some viewers threw accusations of racism at the BBC ballroom competition, with one tweeting: “So first its Melvin, the black man. Second gone its Tameka, the black woman. And now Naga. Not saying its racist but, seriously #Strictly.”

Another commented: “Is #Strictly racist? Well...have a look at who are the first 3 to be evicted...it's quite a conclusive answer (although sad to see Naga go).”

The BBC defended the show against racism claims after last weeks show and said in a statement: "“Judges judge the dancing and the dancing alone, not anything else.”

Munchetty was gutted to leave on Sunday night's show and said: “Getting to know Pasha and working with him has been amazing. Thank you for your patience. Sorry it wasn’t good enough.”

Kovalev said: “You’ve been the best – so determined and passionate all of the time. [The charlseton] was your best performance.”

Ore Oduba topped this week’s leaderboard after scoring three tens from the judges for his jive to Bruno Mars' Runaway Baby with his partner Joanne Clifton.

The sports presenter was reduced to tears after breaking the record for securing a 10 so early in the competition.

Head judge Len Goodman said he was on track to follow in the footsteps of 2015 winner Jay McGuinness.

Strictly Come Dancing 2016

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"It was showstopping, jaw dropping and eye popping," he said. "Move over, Jay - you've turned up!"

Even Craig Revel Horwood struggled to find a critical word, telling Oduba: "The game has finally changed.

"You are the one to beat! I hope Danny [Mac] was watching that because he's got a big load of competition."

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One on Saturday night at 6:30pm.

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