Jeff Stelling criticizes Paul Merson's Strictly exit for unfairness

In the United Kingdom, Jeff Stelling expressed his disappointment over Paul Merson's elimination from the popular television competition, Strictly Come Dancing, during the latest weekend's episode. Stelling publicly criticized the decision, arguing that Merson, who has a background in sport rather than dance, should not have been eliminated, especially since he showcased significant improvement during the competition. Stelling's sentiments were shared by numerous fans on social media, who pointed out that Merson's journey was emblematic of what the show aims to represent. The episode featured a dance-off between Merson and his partner Karen Hauer against another couple, JB Gill and Amy Dowden. Gill and Dowden survived the elimination, marking a controversial decision, as many viewers felt that the judges' choice was influenced by other factors, including the dance order. Past instances in the competition have shown a pattern where contestants dancing first are at a disadvantage, as they may be less memorable to the judges and audience. Moreover, viewers pondered whether positioning in the lineup created unfair circumstances, affecting contestants' chances despite their performance quality. Such observations have fueled discussions about fairness in the competition structure and questions surrounding the existence of an inherent bias toward contestants with previous dance experience. The conversation highlights ongoing debates in reality television regarding meritocracy versus professional background. As the show progresses, the implications of these eliminations and voting patterns may lead to further scrutiny of the judging and evaluation process in dance competitions like Strictly Come Dancing.