Ellie Leach victim of Strictly 'fix' claims as fans blast 'unfair advantage' days before semi-final

Strictly bosses have decided that Leach will take on a Couple's Choice to a Dua Lipa medley as well as a Cha Cha to the sound of Bette Midler's Mambo Italiano.

As it stands, Leach is currently behind Layton Williams on the leaderboard following last weekend's quarter-final as the cast's scores will be combined with the semis after Nigel Harman's shock exit.

Williams bagged the first perfect score of 40 last Saturday - something that sparked controversy with viewers - while Leach sits in second place with a score of 36.

But fans have claimed she now has an "unfair advantage" heading into the semis as she's the only celebrity who's been given the favourable Couple's Choice.

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The claims arose on social media after the BBC Strictly account confirmed the routines and song choices this week, with several fans fuming at the decision.

"No Couples choice should be allowed in semi final it’s an unfair advantage," one Strictly follower fumed.

And a second agreed: "I'm sorry I actually don't think couple's choice should be allowed in semi final...they are too close to show dances ...don't @ me it's just my opinion!!"

A third echoed the dismay as they commented: "All couple's choices should have been done before the quarter finals. Unfair to have a no-rules dance which boils down to judges' personal taste so late. It's another show dance in all but name. Very unfair!"

"Ellie just won the series with that couples choice pick," a fourth claimed while over on Reddit, a fifth concurred: "Ellie being set up for a 40 with couples choice!"

However, there were plenty of supporters who jumped to Leach's defence as the fix row took hold, including one Instagram user who hit back: "People complaining about Ellie and Vito doing a couples choice... if Bobby and Dianne can do one the week before the quarter-final then the only couple who hasn’t done one, Ellie and Vito can do there’s in the semi-final."

And another also blasted: "Oh my gosh people always have to moan about something.. When are Ellie and Vito meant to do their couple's choice??

"I'd like it in the final but that would be even worse for those of you that disagree it should be this week. Everyone else had had their chance to shine.. don't begrudge her hers. We've all got our faves.. we don't have to attack others... I just don't think it's cool." (sic)

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Several others also weighed in expressing their "excitement" at seeing Coppola and Leach finally take on the routine.

Strictly fans will have to tune in on Saturday evening to see how the Couple's Choice goes and whether or not Leach can finally bag the perfect score of 40 her supporters think she deserves.

According to bookmakers, it would take a miracle for Leach to be usurped at the top of the market to be crowned Strictly champion - something she addressed on It Takes Two last week.

Hoping to pull off the feat will be Williams and his Charleston and Rumba, Bobby Brazier and his Quickstep and Paso Doble, and Annabel Croft and her Salsa and Viennese Waltz.