Strictly professional Nadiya Bychkova has criticised producers for hiring celebrities with dance experience, insisting the show should be for those who have never danced before.
The Ukrainian, who is paired with former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, said stars with training hog the top spots, stopping novices who are booted out from realising their potential.
Ms Bychkova said 39-year-old beginner Robshaw was at a disadvantage, adding: ‘I think this is what the show is about, for people who have never danced before, and for the audience to see it is possible.
‘We often don’t get to see it because people who don’t have this experience would sometimes leave the show earlier, which is really sad, because there is often so much talent in there.
‘It’s not only about Chris, I think it’s any contestant who didn’t have any… not just dance experience… it’s any kind of performance experience.
‘When you’re trained to be in the moment and you’re trained to tell the story, and how to show something, that obviously helps a lot.’
Ms Bychkova, 36, made her comments after former Love Island winner Amber Davies, 28, was drafted in at 48 hours’ notice to replace Dani Dyer, who fractured her ankle while training for the first show of the series.
It raised eyebrows as Ms Davies, who is paired with Strictly pro Nikita Kuzmin, has danced professionally and starred in musicals including The Great Gatsby, Back To The Future and Pretty Woman.
Nadiya Bychkova, (pictured) said stars with training hog the top spots, stopping novices who are booted out from realising their potential.
The Ukrainian is paired with former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw (pictured together),
Ms Bychkova, 36, made her comments after former Love Island winner Amber Davies, 28, (pictured left) was drafted in at 48 hours’ notice to replace Dani Dyer, who fractured her ankle while training for the first show of the series
Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope has been dragged into the row as he has a dance background, having competed in a world dancing championship final three times.
Both finished near the top of last week’s leaderboards, with praise from judges.
Meanwhile, Ms Bychkova and Mr Robshaw performed a samba to EMF’s 1981 hit Unbelievable last Saturday, finishing second to last with 14 points.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood gave Mr Robshaw just three points out of ten, telling him: ‘It lacked any fluidity. The whole thing was very heavy and very stiff.’
Robshaw’s wife, opera singer Camilla Kerslake, 37, also slammed contestants who already had dance experience.
Posting snaps on Instagram of her husband in his first dance last Saturday, she said: ‘Proud forever. Up against people with years of experience when you’ve never even done a 2 step, opening the whole season and starting with one of the hardest dances going.’
Last night she told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I hope my big mouth won’t get Chris in the bottom two.’
