Nigel Harman has joined the likes of Angela Rippon in being the target of "fix" accusations by Strictly fans.
The Casualty actor, who scored a personal best of 34 for his and Katya Jones' Couple's Choice last weekend, sparked the row following an appearance on Thursday's It Takes Two.
Harman and Jones joined Janette Manrara for their interview on the Strictly sister show while Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell were also on the schedule.
During their interview with Manrara, Buswell and Brazier addressed their American Smooth from Week Nine, with Brazier admitting he struggled at the beginning of the week to learn the steps, branding it one of his toughest times on the show.
While Manrara did praise the routine, she went on to raise the issue of Craig Revel Horwood's criticism of Brazier's hands.
And before the interview drew to a close, Manrara brought up the fact that they were the last couple to be saved before the dance-off.
Nigel Harman appeared on Thursday's It Takes Two
BBC
The pair both dwelled on the prospect of facing the dreaded dance-off as Brazier admitted: "Because that's happened twice now, I thought, 'No surely not, they're gonna do that to us again, we must be in the bottom two'... I'd have been gutted."
Buswell also weighed in to confess she was "panicking" after being the last couple saved for two weeks in a row.
However, Harman and Jones' interview appeared to be a stark contrast in tone with the 20-year-old's, according to some viewers.
Manrara opened the interview by asking how Harman felt being "free" to "express himself" with his previous impressive routine before the It Takes Two host added she'd watched the routine more than once and branded it "incredible".
As the interview progressed, the plaudits kept coming as Harman revealed his wife's blown-away reaction to their Couple's Choice, they touched upon his personal-best score, the pressure of Blackpool Week, and why Jones feels their upcoming routine is "perfect" for this week's round in the contest.
What ensued was viewers claiming Brazier's interview focussed on the negative aspects of his Strictly experience while Harman's seemed to be more positive.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan levelled their accusations as they wrote: "Bobbys interview focuses on the negative of Bobby's last dance. Nigel interview only focuses on the positive of his dance, with no mention of criticism... lol these producers and their storylines #ittakestwo #Strictly."
And a second echoed: "See how they've put bobby first and are focusing on the negatives of his dance in the intro.
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Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell's interview sparked the row among viewers
BBC
"If ever the producers have ever tried to put a contestant over the trap door it's here.... #ittakestwo. Watch them hype nigel up now. Guess which one is doing the tour... #strictly."
Elsewhere, a third fumed: "Ah so its Nigel doing west end dance moves from guys and dolls that he could already do before the competition even started, is it? #ittakestwo. I'm sure one of the #Strictly judges will mention it.....not."
However, there were some viewers who praised the Strictly stars, including one X user who penned: "Janette say that Bobby's giving the same vibe for his Jive that he gave for his Samba.
"Totally agree. With Dianne's Choreo as well this is going to be brilliant. #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly #ItTakesTwo." (sic)
Favouritism rows haven't been an unfamiliar occurrence so far in this series, with Harman at the centre of one early on this series.
However, in recent weeks, it's Rippon who's been the target of "fix" claims from fans - although pro partner Kai Widdrington recently appeared to slap down the suggestion.
