Neil Jones responds to controversy over First Strictly Come Dancing’s elimination

After finishing bottom of the leaderboard for two weeks in a row, Neil and his celebrity partner Toyah Wilcox found themselves in the first dance-off of the series.

Neil defended Toyah on Instagram on Monday: “I just want to say it’s week two. (Toyah) is not a dancer, but every day she is improving. Every day I tell Toyah, it may not be perfect, but you’re moving forward, and at the same time you’re not losing who you really are, and that’s what Strictly is all about.

He also had his say in the comments, after a fan wrote: “Sorry Neil… as happy as I was that you had a partner this year, I am very disappointed that Toyah was rescued and Tom is out. I absolutely disagree with that decision.”

“Thank you, I’m very happy to have the pleasure of teaching a complete beginner like Toyah,” he wrote back. “And honestly, I’m amazed at the improvement she’s making. I wish no one went home so we could see everyone improve.”

“I wish no one would go home,” Neil then reiterated after another follower wrote that they disagreed with the jury’s choice to save Toyah instead of Tom.

“Of course I completely understand,” he added, emphasizing that “Tom was amazing and such a great dancer” and wishing “we could see everyone’s journey.”

“I wish I could have continued, I really do,” he said on Monday’s edition of Strictly spin-off It Takes Two.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday evening at 6.25pm ​​on BBC One.