Strictly Come Dancing fans were left in hysterics during Saturday’s show after noticing Neil Jones’ hilarious reaction to a sub-par score for Angela Rippon.
The newsreader had earned a six from head judge Shirley Ballas after dancing a Waltz to Fascination by Nat King Cole with her professional partner Kai Widdrington, 28.
As the scores were read out, Neil’s fury was evident when the six was revealed, with one fan branding it ‘the face of the series.’
Another said ‘Loved Neil’s reactions to Angela & Kai’s scores’ followed by a crying laughing emoji face.
A third said: ‘Neil being outraged over Angela and Kai’s scores’ with lots of crying laughing faces.
A fourth penned: ‘Neil’s face behind Angela’
After Angela’s performance, Anton de Beke said: ‘It was beautiful and elegant, as we come to expect from you. It was a little abrupt because the side steps weren’t quite large enough.
He continued: ‘It was elegant, it was lovely. I could have done with a bit more flow, but as I say that’s because the sidestep wasn’t quite wide enough, but other than just a lovely dance.’
Next, Craig Revel Horwood commented: I thought your footwork was a little bit wobbly my darling and the frame just became a little bit loose.’
He added: ‘You know what? You always bring to the dance floor style and elegance.’
Motsi Mabuse then commented: ‘That was a very classical waltz. I love it when we dance a complete dance the way you exceed the competition.
‘And you look beautiful in his arm. You look like it’s so easy to dance with him and whatever happens, it always looks like it’s not too much for you, it’s always at ease.
She then asked: ‘I feel today, could we have pushed it a little bit more? Could we have given it a little bit more so we don’t play it safe?
‘We are in the middle of the competition and we’re searching for our finalists, so if there is any more to give, please give.’
Head judge Shirley also had a few comments and said the routine needed to ‘draw in a little bit’, but added some words of encouragement at the end saying ‘keep going’.
Whilst Angela agreed with the judges comments, it was the scoring that had everybody talking and professional dancer Neil Jones who was the first to show his reaction.
When Craig scored a seven, Neil shook his head furiously and could be seen saying, ‘No way’.
He nodded in agreement when Motsi showed her eight, but when Shirley gave a six, Neil gasped, open mouthed and stayed like that for a few minutes.
After the criticism from the judges and low scores, fans flocked to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their thoughts.
One user wrote: ‘We must protect Angela Rippon at all costs #Strictly’
A second said: Layton OVERSCORED, Angela Rippon UNDERSCORED #Strictly’
While a third reminded everyone: ‘Well I think Angela Rippon is great, remember she is 79, who else can dance like that #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly’
Prior to her performance, the presenter said she wanted to dance in honour of her late father John Rippon, who taught her how to Waltz when she was a little girl.
‘My father loved dancing and if we went to a family occasion or anywhere there was dancing, I would stand on his feet while he danced around. I think waltzing was one of the first I ever did as a little girl,’ she told The Mirror.
Angela also spoke about if her participation was getting her any attention for male admirers.
She said: ‘I’m getting lots of nice comments, but no. I’m very fortunate I have lots of absolutely wonderful men in my life, married men, single men, gay men, straight men, I have a wonderful collection of really super friends, men and women, and I take joy in that.
‘But I don’t think being in Strictly has done anything to my mental state telling me it’s about time I have a man in my life.’
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
