Strictly Come Dancing Praised For 'Inclusive' Performance With Same Sex Couples

The groundbreaking performance 'broke all the boundaries' with its sultry choreography, ahead of the series ninth eviction. It featured Strictly professionals, Graziano Di Prima and Neil Jones among many, as well as a host of dancers who appeared for the first time, during the performance to David Bowie's Life On Mars.

The performance was also a heartfelt nod to the dancing competition's former judge Arlene Phillips, who coordinated the dance.

Fans flocked to Twitter to heap the BBC programme in praise for its inclusivity.

"Feeling emosh with this performance on #Strictly not gonna lie," while another added: "I love how inclusive #Strictly is this year! It's a huge step in the right direction!"

Another viewer, who was clearly touched by the performance, added: "Watching the guy in the wheelchair dance is really moving."

After the heartwarming performance, Ashley Roberts and Graeme Swann found themselves in the bottom two and forced to battle it out in the dance off.

England cricketer Graeme and his partner, OtiMabuse, were given the boot after their performance of the Quickstep, and many viewers vented their frustrations over Ashley remaining in the competition despite her previous choreography experience.

But, judges unanimously voted to send Graeme and Oti home after Ashley and Pasha Kovalev's Samba to Hot HotHot by Arrow.

"For me, it's a no-brainer and the couple I'd like to save, Ashley and Pasha," Craig Revel Horwood said.

Dame Darcey Bussell agreed, adding: "The couple I would like to save based on this dance is the more technically efficient performance and that was Ashley and Pasha."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One at 7.05pm on Saturday.