Strictly Come Dancing fans spot tension as one star 'doesn't want to be there'

BBC fans are feeling "sorry" for one of the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing and are convinced that their celebrity partner "doesn't want to be there."

During round two of the competition, ex-footballer Paul Merson danced a salsa routine with Karen Hauer and scored 15 points out of a possible 40.

Viewers quickly took to social media to react to the dance, claiming that something isn't quite right between the pair. One person said on X: "#Strictly somebody save Karen I feel so sorry for Karen."

Another person weighed in: "Paul Merson clearly doesn't want to be there." A third also typed online: " I just said the same thing to my OH - are they blackmailing him to be here or something!"

During last week's launch show, the pair performed to the 90s football anthem Vindaloo and both wore football-inspired outfits, however fans also picked up that Paul looked 'unhappy.'

One person said last week: "Paul really doesn't want to be there!"

Also during the second week, Chris McCausland made a heartbreaking confession after his latest routine, saying that he found it "overwhelming."

The comedian and his dance partner Dianne Buswell performed a Fox Trot to 'Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy.' It came after the pair did a Cha Cha Cha to Lulu's 'Twist and Shout' during the launch show.

The couple recieved plenty of praise from their dance, scoring 29 points out of a possible 40.

Following last week's launch for the 22nd series (September 14), figures indicated the first show was watched by almost a million fewer viewers than 2023.