Strictly Come Dancing 2016: Dance-off cancelled after Anastacia suffers a meltdown backstage

Strictly Come Dancing is only in Week Two but has already suffered its first controversy, with singer Anastacia refusing to take part in the dance-off after finding herself in the bottom two.

DJ Melvin Odoom was eliminated from the competition after the results reverted back to which contestant got the least viewer votes, with this being the first time in Strictly history that a dance-off has not taken place.

Anastacia had suffered an injury in the week during rehearsals and was forced to change her dance to the salsa at the last minute, speaking to host Tess Daly after landing in the bottom two, Anastacia shared: “I’m scared to do it [the dance off] but I will do it.

“I am scared – that is the honest truth.”

However, it has been reported that once she got backstage the singer had a complete meltdown, delaying filming for 30 minutes as BBC producers tried to deal with the star.

Audience members claim that once Anastacia returned to the dance floor with her professional partner, Brendan Cole, he was noticeably annoyed and refused to speak to producers.

One eye-witness told The Mirror: “Brendan looked really annoyed and the body language between him and Anastacia was very frosty.

“A female producer went up to talk to him but he wouldn’t even talk. He was fuming. Anton du Beke had to console him.”

Former professional dancer, James Jordan, was also outraged by the show’s decision to cancel the dance-off, venting on Twitter: “WHAT!!!! Totally disgusting If you can’t dance in the dance off you should be the ones that leave WHAT A JOKE!!!

“SO!!! Whoever ends up in the dance off COULD fake an injury and go through to the next week on public vote without dancing BULLS**T!!! [SIC]”

On the other hand, Melvin implied that there was no bad blood as he thanked Strictly for the experience following his elimination, tweeting: “I have really enjoyed my @bbcstrictly experience…. I have had so much fun and want to thank everyone for their support! #teamjboom.”

The BBC issued a statement on the controversial decision, explaining: “There was no Dance Off tonight due to a confirmed injury. As per the Strictly Come Dancing rules if the Dance Off cannot go ahead then the result reverts to the viewer vote.”

Viewers have been left outraged by the move.