STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were left squirming in their seats after an awkward and "embarrassing" blunder by host Tess Daly.
Viewers of the BBC show were taken aback as she welcomed blind comedian Chris McCausland, 47, and his professional partner Dianne Buswell, 35, to the judges table following their lively Quickstep.
The fan-favourite duo brightened up the stage on Musicals Week with their fast-paced routine to You’re The Top from Anything Goes.
The pair dressed up as sailors and delighted fans and the Strictly judging panel alike, with Aussie Dianne absolutely ecstatic at how their routine played out.
Yet before the judges could give their feedback - and ultimate score of 32 - presenter Tess, 55, appeared to put her foot in it.
Addressing Dianne's elated mood she asked the stand-up: "Can you see how happy she is with you?"
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Seemingly not aware of her mishap - with Chris being fully blind - she continued on.
Yet fans were quick to flag it on social media, with one writing: "Did um…did Tess really just ask 'can you see how happy she is with you?'"
Another wrote: "The awkwardness…" as one fan clarified: "No Tess, Chris can't see how happy he made Dianne."
One added: "Tess Daly to Chris ‘can you see how happy she is with that’ - I would guess no!"
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Yet one visually-impaired viewer saw the funny side.
They added: "Potentially embarrassing, but as a severely visually impaired person I find these things hilarious."
CLAP BACK
Tess' comment wasn't the only awkward moment during the analysis of the pair's routine.
Dianne broke down in tears as she clapped back at a comment made by the panel.
They came under fire from the judges including Craig Revel Horwood, who picked out issues with Chris' posture.
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Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
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Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
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Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
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Yet after the judges made their comments, Dianne leapt to her partner's defence as she gave an emotional speech praising Chris.
Speaking in the Clauditorium, Aussie dancer Dianne said: "Posture, I totally agree and I am so thankful to the judges for all their constructive criticism."
Comedian Chris joked: "Are you? I'm not!"
Dianne laughed and then continued: "We mustn't forget that for 20 odd years that Chris's safe space has been down here [hunched position], so for him to stand up actually makes me quite emotional.
"It's a big thing that we've overcome, and you've done so well."
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Dianne's tearful defence didn't go unnoticed by viewers either as one wrote on social media: "Dianne has made me emotional talking about how much Chris has improved in the competition.
"You can tell they have the best friendship and love seeing it on the dance floor each week."