Strictly racism claims resurface after Naga Munchetty is latest to leave
The BBC Breakfast presenter is the third non-white contestant in a row to be sent home this series
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A fresh racism storm is brewing around Strictly Come Dancing after Naga Munchetty’s departure on Sunday night.
The BBC presenter was the third to leave the show in three weeks, following Martin Odoom and Tameka Empson, both of whom are black.
Naga competed in the dance-off against Anastacia, but the singer was saved after her rumba was described as “cleaner, slicker and more rounded.”
Fans took to Twitter to speculate as to whether racism played a part in the voting public’s choices.
Haven't said it until now but how racist are the #strictly voters?
— Thom Disco (@thom3003) October 16, 2016
Okay so the viewing voting public are really racist or? #Strictly (First TWO weeks black people voted out then third week Naga Munchetty?)
— Mair (@MairSaysNo) October 16, 2016
Sad to see Naga leave Strictly. Is it odd that no white dancers have left yet?#strictly
— Huw Griffith (@griffunited) October 16, 2016
So first its Melvin, the black man. Second gone its Tameka, the black woman. And now Naga. Not saying its racist but, seriously #Strictly
— Ian Brookes (@theBROOKESEY) October 16, 2016
3rd person of colour out in as many weeks. Of course the R word will be used- because Anastacia should've gone in week 1! #Awkward #Strictly
— Resham N Mirza (@meribetis) October 16, 2016
Melvin was sent home in week one after Anastasia failed to compete in the dance off due to injury. EastEnders’ star Tameka came last in the public vote alongside Laura Whitmore the following week, leading the judges to state that they believed the bottom two was wrong.
Meanwhile, other fans pointed out that Ore Oduba’s string of 10s – the first of the series – helped counteract any suggestion of bias on the judges’ part…
I'll only believe that #Strictly is racist when Ore is voted off as he should go all the way to the final and hopefully win ????
— Julie Anne Drury (@mousechips68) October 16, 2016
BBC bosses defended the show last week, saying “Judges judge the dancing and nothing else.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday on BBC1
