Michael Ball and Alfie Boe divide BBC Strictly fans after 'murdering' classic ballad: 'Not a patch on the original!'
WATCH HERE: Michael Ball and Alfie Boe's performance on Strictly Come Dancing 2024
BBC
Strictly Come Dancing fans have been well and truly divided following this weekend's performance from the BBC show's musical guests.
On Sunday evening, it was Alfie Boe and Michael Ball's turn to entertain viewers during the results show as fans eagerly awaited to see who'd be the latest casualty of the public vote.
The pair took on The Hollies' classic He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother while pro dancers Karen Hauer and Kai Widdrington danced in front of them.
The rendition went down a storm in the ballroom as Boe & Ball soaked in the applause.
However, on social media, the reception to the rendition was far from unanimously harmonious as several took to X to slam the performance.
"Ball and Boe absolutely murdering that song on #StrictlyComeDancing. Ears almost bleeding. Crazy bad. #strictly," one fan harshly critiqued.
BBC Strictly: Kai Widdrington and Karen Hauer danced as Boe & Ball performed
BBC
"#strictly Ball and Boe murdering my favourite song," a second echoed while a third weighed in: "#Strictly Ball & Boe once again demonstrating how to suck the life blood out of a beautiful song."
A fourth was more diplomatic with their criticism: "It goes without saying that Michael Ball and Alfie Boe can sing. But their rendition of He Ain’t Heavy is not a patch on the Hollies’ original version. #Strictly."
However, there were some BBC viewers who hit back at the backlash and applauded the duo for their performance.
"And that's how you do a guest performance, Alfie Boe and Michael Ball #Strictly," one fan praised before a second posted: "Those two are great #Ball&Boe #Strictly."
BBC Strictly: Boe & Ball divided fans with their performance
BBC
Over on Instagram, several of the Strictly pros ignored the naysayers to show their support for the performance.
Luba Mushtuk, Johannes Radebe and Jowita Przystal were just three pro dancers who shared love hearts on the show's post about the performance.
Soon after the song, it was announced Shayne Ward would be exiting the competition after losing in the dance-off to Wynne Jones.
The vote was tied at two votes apiece between the judges, meaning head judge Shirley Ballas made the ultimate decision to send Ward home.
"I just want to say, you guys up there [the other contestants in the Clauditorium] are a dream. Every single day, coming in here and seeing you guys you helped me so much," Ward said.
He continued: "I want to say thank you to the audience as well, for always being amazing for us all. This has been, honestly, one of the best things I've ever done.
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"I'm proud that I made it to eight weeks as a novice dancer. A massive thank you goes to this incredible human right next to me [Nancy Xu], who has put so much fire in me and made me believe that I can actually achieve more if I let myself go.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out to the end, but I'm super proud that I got to meet you [to Nancy] and dance with you, so thank you.”
Meanwhile, Xu said: "I'm beyond proud of this dance partnership. Shayne from week one until this point, every second you put your feet on the dancefloor you improved yourself.
"You're a deep thinker, you always doubt yourself, you never believed yourself, but I never ever questioned you. When I watch you, I feel proud because I've turned someone who has never ever danced in their life into an amazing dancer. You should believe in yourself. I adored this partnership.”
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