Strictly Come Dancing bosses under pressure to reveal secret rulebook after controversial axing of Melvin Odoom
Fans hit out at decision to spare Anastacia after the singer was unable to perform due to injury
BBC chiefs were facing growing pressure to publish the Strictly rulebook last night after the controversial axing of Melvin Odoom.
Thousands of viewers hit out after producers took the decision to spare singer Anastacia from the dance-off after she was injured — with the show’s guidelines kept secret.
It sparked claims that bosses conveniently chose to go with the public vote after Anastacia, 48, was left unable to perform again as she had damaged scar tissue left by cancer surgery.
An insider said: “There was a lot of feedback that people couldn’t find the rules after Claudia Winkleman used them to justify Melvin getting the boot.
“The book is in a West London production office and has never been released. But there’s a need for transparency after so many claimed there was a fix.”
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The Sun can reveal Anastacia is likely to get a bye week for next weekend’s dance unless she recovers from her issues.
She saw medical experts yesterday, having previously been told to avoid lifts or spins because of scars from her double mastectomy in 2013.
Pro partner Brendan Cole, 39, had to re-choreograph their last routine.
Anastacia wept as she realised she was in the bottom two with DJ Melvin but could not perform again.
Show sources said they will make a decision today on whether she can dance next weekend.
Corrie actress Natalie Gumede, 32, got a bye after fainting in 2011.
A BBC spokesman said: “Due to the nature of some of the content in the rules, publishing them in full would compromise our duty of care to participants.”