Strictly’s Saffron Barker has explained why she didn’t wear a poppy during her Salsa routine with partner AJ Pritchard on Saturday’s edition of the BBC series.
Responding to fan backlash, the YouTuber, 19, revealed she and the ballroom professional, 24, took to the stage without the traditional pin on producer’s orders as they performed a high-octane lift during their lively dance.
Media personality Saffron tweeted on Sunday following the results show: ‘We weren’t allowed to when we were dancing causeve our lift :)’. [sic]
Safety first: Strictly’s Saffron Barker has explained why she didn’t wear a poppy during her Salsa routine with partner AJ Pritchard on Saturday’s edition of the BBC series
The pair – who scored a safe 27 points out of 40 – were branded ‘disrespectful’ by fans for failing to sport poppies – which are worn by both public figures and members of the UK public, and serves as a prestigious symbol to commemorate military personnel who died in war.
This year’s Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day mark a century since the first Remembrance Day, which took place a year after the end of WWI.
Before Saffron explained the reason behind their poppy-free performance, a furious viewer commented: ‘@bbcstrictly I am appalled that everyone appearing on tonight’s show is wearing a poppy apart from AJ and Saffron. This is very disrespectful to our nation and the people who risked their lives for our country.’
‘AJ and Saffron not wearing a poppy between them, b****y disgusting !#StrictlyComeDancing’, a second tweeted.
Speaking out: Responding to fan backlash, the YouTuber, 19, revealed she and the ballroom pro, 24, took to the stage without the traditional pin due to a high-octane lift in their dance
![Clarification: Media personality Saffron tweeted on Sunday following the results show: 'We weren¿t allowed to when we were dancing causeve our lift :)' [sic]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/04/14/20580022-7647679-image-a-24_1572877672540.jpg)
Clarification: Media personality Saffron tweeted on Sunday following the results show: ‘We weren’t allowed to when we were dancing causeve our lift :)’ [sic]
Honour: The poppy is worn by both public figures and members of the UK public, and serves as a prestigious symbol to commemorate military personnel who died in war (file photo)
A third enraged fan wrote: ‘I don’t understand even just a small lapell pin, so disrespectful, I want to hear them justify their reasons.’
‘Someone’s going to have to help me… have the BBC allowed saffron and AJ to get away with NOT WEARING POPPIES??!! – Not that I’m offended it’s just very out of character for the BBC #strictly’, another shared.
During Sunday’s results show, Viscountess Emma Weymouth became the sixth celebrity to depart the dancefloor as Mike Bushell was saved for the second time in two weeks.
Enraged: The pair – who scored a safe 27 points out of 40 – were branded ‘disrespectful’ by fans for failing to sport poppies
The socialite, 33, and her pro partner Aljaž Skorjanec, 29, performed their Samba in a bid to secure their position in the competition after scoring a disappointing 26 points out of 40.
They were beaten by BBC Breakfast host Mike, 53, and Katya Jones, 30, amid viewers’ claims he avoided the chop as he works for the broadcasting corporation.
As judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonoili unanimously decided to send Emma home, the ‘heartbroken’ star gushed about her stint: ‘I’ve loved this more than anything I’ve done in my entire life.’
She’s out! Viscountess Emma Weymouth (C) became the sixth celeb to depart the dancefloor as Mike Bushell was saved for a second time in two weeks during Sunday’s results show
The model said of her partnership with choreographer Aljaž: ‘I’m going to be forever grateful to you for working so hard, you’ve been so patient with me and teaching me everything.
‘Thank you, I want to be friends forever because you’re just amazing. I never wanted to let you down, I’m just heartbroken’, Emma added. Insisting he’s proud of the Kensington native, the ballroom pro enthused: ‘You never ever let me down from the first day of rehearsals when I walked in.
‘I’m the only professional to have danced with an actual lady on Strictly Come Dancing. From day one in rehearsals, your dedication, to go from a non-performer, non-dancer, to achieve what you achieved on this show, I’m lucky it was me that taught you how to dance.
‘Thank you so much for every single second in rehearsals. On that dancefloor you surprised me positively every single week. Thank you so much.’
He’s safe: The socialite, 33, was beaten by BBC Breakfast host Mike (pictured far right with Katya Jones), 53, amid claims he avoided the chop as he works for the broadcaster