STRICTLY’S Fleur East won last week’s dance-off despite a disastrous fall that was kept secret from viewers.
She tumbled at her first attempt with partner Vito Coppola and was allowed to restart.
Fleur East at her first attempt in last week’s dance-off – but it was kept secret from viewers
Fleur and Vito were later voted through to the next show by the four judges — who gave the axe to EastEnder James Bye
Judges voted the pair through at the expense of EastEnder James Bye.
The tumble with pro Vito Coppola was not broadcast or even mentioned during Sunday’s results show.
It saw singer Fleur, 35, fall face first, dragging her 30- year-old partner down with her.
After picking themselves off the floor, the shocked pair were checked over by medics before being allowed to re-start.
A source said: “It was a deeply unfortunate incident, and not Fleur or Vito’s fault at all.
“About five seconds in, when she was meant to pull Vito along in the prop chair, the legs slipped.
“She came crashing down, taking Vito down too.
“They landed incredibly hard — it was quite shocking and the audience audibly gasped.
“Poor Fleur looked stunned and devastated, and no one really knew what was happening on or off stage. Eventually the warm-up guy came on and addressed the audience while Fleur and Vito got checked out.
“They started their dance again and obviously this second version was the one aired.
“There was no reference to the fall by the judges either.
“To be fair, James wasn’t bothered at all — he genuinely believed she was the better dancer on the night — but a few of the other stars backstage were pretty stunned.
“It’s not exactly a live performance if stars get to have another crack of the whip.”
Fleur fell face first, dragging her 30-year-old partner down with her
Although not as dramatic as her original stumble, Fleur slipped for a second time during the re-run of her salsa
The dance-off was pre-recorded on Saturday night, with James, 38, partnered by pro dancer Amy Dowden, 32.
Incredibly, former X Factor star Fleur slipped for a second time during the re-run of her Halloween-themed salsa.
Although not as dramatic as her original stumble, viewers pointed out that all four judges failed to comment on it.
A BBC spokesperson said: “After an incident with a prop at the beginning of Fleur and Vito’s dance-off performance, the decision was made to halt proceedings to check they were not injured.
“As they had not begun to dance before the incident occurred, it was decided they could start the performance again, once it was confirmed they were fit to do so.”
