Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday night but it looks set to be the end of the road for one famous face
Buswell has been hit by accusations of a ‘cover-up’
Chris Robshaw looks set to fight for Strictly Come Dancing survival this weekend with the former England rugby captain the current favourite to become the next celebrity to be eliminated from the competition.
Ex-Harlequins star Robshaw has not had the easiest of starts to life on the BBC show, having ended up in the first dance-off of the series after receiving low scores in the opening two weeks. However, after being saved by the judges, last weekend saw him dodge another dance-off and get sent straight through to the next show as the public got behind him.
He will return to the dancefloor on Saturday night as he performs a salsa to Ricky Martin’s ‘Maria’ alongside professional partner Nadiya Bychkova, in a bid to avoid being sent home next.
However, with the competition heating up week on week, bookmakers believe this could be the end of the road for former flanker Robshaw, who heads into this weekend as 4/9 favourite to become the third famous face to be eliminated.
His main rival in that regard is Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis, who is close behind with odds of 3/1 to be next to go.
The actor withdrew from last week’s show due to illness, and while he and his professional partner Dianne Buswell will return this weekend, they have found themselves on the end of accusations from fans during their time away.
Last year’s Strictly champion Buswell is currently pregnant, and while it was Dennis who was unwell, some viewers have speculated that their withdrawal last weekend was in fact a “cover up” for the professional dancer, who they have claimed may be struggling to balance her pregnancy with the demands of the show.
However, the Australia-native has hit back at the wild theories on social media, as she took to Instagram to write: “I just have to clarify as I have had lots of people messaging me thinking this is a cover up for me not being able to dance?
“Firstly, we wouldn’t lie, especially about somebody being sick. And secondly I am fine, yes I’m pregnant but I’m also very capable and feeling really good. Thirdly, there are things in place if any pro were to get sick or injured.”
Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova are favourites to be eliminated next(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
It comes after Robshaw poured his heart out in an emotional message to fans on Instagram, having found himself in the first dance off of the series in week two, and promised his supporters that he was “trying his best” to improve his dancing.
“Hi everyone,” he wrote. “I’m going to try and put how I feel into words – which you guys know is not my strong point (cheers dyslexia). The first thing I want to say is thank you. When I started this show I never thought I’d end up loving to dance. I can admit that I never thought that beyond being a dad to two amazing boys, that the dance floor would give me back by purpose.
“This show has made me feel like an athlete again. A feeling that I have missed. I don’t think I realised how much I missed it, until I joined the show,” Robshaw added.
“I know I am not the best dancer, but I hope you can see some potential in me, and I’m worthy of your vote. I want to improve and to continue on this journey for as long as I can.
“I don’t want to let [Nadiya] down. I don’t want to let you guys down. I promise you I am trying my best. I’ve even started to waltz in my dreams, it’s on my mind a lot. I’m under no illusion I’m a great dancer, but I promise you I am trying my best.”
