NEIL Jones has hit back at trolls who slammed Toyah Willcox’s Strictly performances to date.
The professional dancer, 42, has stepped in to defend his partner from cruel comments by viewers.
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Strictly viewers watched on Sunday night as the pair were saved from the chop, while Three-time Olympic champion Tom Dean was sent home.
Fans online had been left reeling, including Tom’s dance partner Nadiya Bychkova, who initially told fans she ‘wasn’t ready’ to talk about the result.
But standing up for popstar Toyah, Neil said: “Ladies and Gentlemen when you ask me how my Saturday night went.
“I just want to say it’s week 2 @toyahofficial is not a dancer but every day she’s improving, each day I tell Toyah, it might not be perfect but you are improving and at the same time you are not losing who you really are and that is what @bbcstrictly is all about.
“You bring so much joy in our lives and I feel lucky that I have the opportunity to teach and guide you so we can both entertain.”
However, one furious fan said: “Sorry Neil as much as I was over the moon that you had a partner this year, I’m very disappointed that Toyah was saved and Tom is out. Totally disagree with that decision.”
It led to the star to clap back, replying: “Thank you. I’m really happy that I have the pleasure to teach a complete beginner like Toyah and honestly the improvement she is making blows my mind, I wish nobody went home so we could see everyone improve.”
During the dance-off, Tom performed his energetic cha cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire once again.
Meanwhile, Toyah and professional partner Neil Jones reprised their lively jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Second Week Scores
As is tradition, the first week scores are rolled over and combined into the second week. Here’s how the leaderboard now looks after the combined scores
- Tasha and Aljaz = 65 (30+35)
- Sarah and Vito = 62 (30+32)
- JB and Amy = 58 (31+27)
- Montell and Johannes = 56 (26+30)
- Wynne and Katya = 56 (26+30)
- Shayne and Nancy = 52 (21+31)
- Chris and Dianne = 52 (23+29)
- Jamie and Michelle = 50 (23+27)
- Sam and Nikita = 45 (23+22)
- Tom and Nadiya = 43 (23+20)
- Nick and Luba = 39 (18+21)
- Pete and Jowita = 39 (17+22)
- Dr Punam and Gorka = 37 (19+18)
- Paul and Karen = 32 (17+15)
- Toyah and Neil = 30 (12+18)