Strictly bosses forced to deny that producers tell the judges how to vote after Vick Hope claimed they did before saving Seann Walsh
STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses have been forced to deny Vick Hope's claims that producers tell the judges how to vote in the dance-off.
The TV and radio presenter claimed the judges consulted with producers before they opted to send her home over controversial Seann Walsh in last night's results' show.
The Sun Online contacted the BBC for comment and a spokesman vehemently denied the claims.
They told us: "It is categorically untrue to imply that producers tell the Judges how to score or who to save.
"Each judge votes on each dance independently, based on its merits and in their expert opinion alone."
The spokesman added: "The Judges use an electronic voting pad to transmit their score or choice of who to save to the production gallery which is then locked in and cannot be changed.
"Only after this does a producer speak to the judges, advising them on how long they have to speak and reminding them to give a reason for their decisions.
"The process was exactly the same this weekend."
Vick sparked speculation that the show is fixed following her exit last night.
The radio DJ and her professional partner, Graziano Di Prima, got the chop following a dance off with disgraced Seann and Katya, who were caught snogging in the street earlier this month.
Speaking on the Capital Breakfast Show today, Vick's co-presenter Roman Kemp ranted: "It's not the best kisser that gets through!"
To which Vick replied "No" and added: "We had to have a dance off as well (but) it was very strange – so after the dance off there was a conflab with the producers and then they gave their decision.
"There was this stunned silence, it was a really weird atmosphere."
The claims came amid reports that disgraced Seann was "shunned" by his Strictly co-stars following last night's victory.
An insider told the : "As the group joined Vick and Graz on the dance floor at the end, everyone understandably went straight to the pair.
"But Seann very much seemed to be on the outside of the group as although Karen gave Katya a massive hug no one approached him immediately.
"Giovanni gave him a big hug but he was on the outside looking in and after the cameras stopped rolling he stood aside and didn’t join in with the group although Katya stayed close.
"He then went to speak to family and friends in the audience."
It is the second week that Seann and his dance partner Katya Jones have swerved elimination from the BBC dance show after they were pictured kissing earlier this month - despite both being in relationships with other people at the time.
Head judge Shirley Ballas, guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro, and Darcey Bussell all voted to save Seann.
Craig Revel Horwood was the only judge to vote for Vick.
The Sun Online previously revealed that a deep rift had developed backstage at the BBC One dance show following Seann and Katya's kiss scandal.
Some of the stars want the pair to be voted off the show to get rid of the "toxic atmosphere" their affair has caused.
Insiders also say that most of the professional dancers and celebrities feel sorry for Katya’s husband, fellow Strictly star Neil Jones, and are firmly on #TeamNeil.
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A source also told us that Seann had become "cocky and arrogant" after the indiscretion – and for the first time in the show’s history there is a genuine atmosphere backstage.
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They explained: "Seann’s sheer arrogance and cockiness is unforgivable. Katya has been a little more subdued than usual but he has shown no remorse whatsoever.
"It’s the first time there has ever been a divide in the camp and that it is becoming more marked as the days go on with the feeling being that the sooner they go the sooner everyone else can get back to being ‘the Strictly family’."
Insiders also told us that the comic is being "ignored" in the Strictly Whatsapp group.
Producers placed the show's professional dancers on a booze ban with a 10pm curfew following the snog - telling them to go straight home after training instead of socialising with their celebrity partner.
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