Jeff Stelling SLAMS Paul Merson’s ‘unfair’ Strictly exit saying his show rivals ‘had dance experience’

SPORTS broadcaster Jeff Stelling has slammed pal Paul Merson’s Strictly Come Dancing exit as “unfair.”

The former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday anchor – who quit the show in May 2023 after 29 years – promptly took to social media after former footballer Paul, 56, was axed from Strictly in Week 5.

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Sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling has clapped back at Strictly Come Dancing after pal Paul Merson’s exit[/caption]

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Former footballer Paul was given the boot in the dance off[/caption]

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Jeff, 69, suggested his mate’s exit was ‘unfair’ and said the show had been ‘ruined’ by those with dance experience[/caption]

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Paul and professional partner Karen Hauer performed a lively Samba on Saturday’s live show[/caption]

The Arsenal legend was given the boot after battling it out against JLS singer JB Gill in Sunday’s shock Dance Off.

Jeff, 69, suggested Paul – who performed a Samba with partner Karen Hauer – came a cropper as some of his co-stars already have dance experience.

In his stark message after Sunday’s Results Show played out Jeff wrote: “Proud of you Merse.

“Shame they ruin the show by including people who are trained dancers or have musical theatre backgrounds.

Should be people who don’t have any dance training imo.”

Jeff – who quit Soccer Saturday after it was “making him ill” – then added: “But you were brilliant!”

The TV star’s support of his pal came after Paul’s eviction was leaked by an online mole on social media site X earlier in the day.

During the dance off with JB and Amy Dowden, who performed a lively Jive, all four judges revealed they were in agreement in choosing to keep the JLS star.

As Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all agreed to save JB, Shirley Ballas‘ vote was not required but she admitted to show host Tess Daly that she would have also chosen to save JB.

As the news began to settle on their exit, Paul told Tess: “It’s been really good.

“For anybody I talk to, I would say you’ve got to go on this show. It’s amazing – everybody.

“There’s a Tottenham fan over there called Lincoln and even he’s nice! It’s been amazing, honestly, amazing. I loved every minute of it, I’ve had a great teacher.”

He went onto add of his pro partner Karen: “She’s been amazing, absolutely amazing and I couldn’t wish for a better coach.

“I’ve loved every minute of it.

“I can dance now –  I’ve won because I can dance, I couldn’t dance before and I can half dance now. It’s a bonus, absolute bonus.” 

FAN FURY

Yet Paul’s legions of loyal fans were quick to brand the outcome a fix.

One fan took to social media to question the entire Strictly results process and said: “I think they just pick anyone to be in the dance off. The votes don’t mean anything at all.

“Waste of money. They have prob already decided who’s in the dance off. All fixed.”

A second added: “They always say it’s about the dance off but it can’t have been because Paul was the better dancer in it so it seems like a fix.”

And a third said: “They knew they’d save JB even though his jive was messy and boring.

“Paul has been brilliant to watch and should’ve been saved. What a fix.”

It came after his dance skills had vastly improved through the series.

Meanwhile, viewers have also called on the show to make a major change after the couple crashed out.

They fear plum professional Karen won’t stick around unless she is paired with more popular contestants.

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Jeff praised Paul’s dance progress as ‘brilliant’[/caption]

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Fans have also been quick to brand Paul’s elimination a ‘fix’[/caption]