Strictly Come Dancing fans are ‘absolutely furious’ after the ‘most entertaining’ pro was ‘dumped’ as the show makes its return

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left “absolutely furious” by the producer’s decision to “bench the ‘most entertaining’ professional”.

When the glitterati competition returned to screens on Saturday, viewers shared their frustration when it was revealed that Carlos Gu did not have a celebrity partner.

The 31-year-old dancer joined the show in 2022 and in his first series he reached the final with EastEnders actress Molly Rainford.

Last year he was paired with presenter Angela Scanlon, and both were eliminated in the tenth week.

Venting to X, fans of the show wrote: ‘I can’t help but feel a little sad not to see Carlos with a partner tonight but I’m still really excited for the series, Strictly’s season is my favourite.’

Others added: ‘THi, are you really in bench C?Arlos ???? turn all this off right now’; ‘AThe only thing I have to say to the producers is: how dare you leave Carlos on the bench? Don’t ever do that again. ‘I’m a little upset that Carlos wasn’t paired this year!’

‘Wait, Carlos Gu isn’t part of the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 pros?’; ‘I’m sad that Lauren, Kai and Carlos don’t have partners… This series isn’t going to be right without the GGs’; ‘Why, why hasn’t Carlos been paired with anyone this year?’; ‘I’m kind of mad that Carlos hasn’t been paired with anyone this year!’; ‘It’s an absolute freedom that Carlos and Kai don’t have partners this year. Sorry, I’m furious.’

In January, Charles shared his fears that he might not be able to return to the show after he and fellow celebrity contestant Angela Scanlon were booted out during week ten of last year.

Talking with The mirrorCarlos revealed whether he will return to the BBC show, which will air later this year.

He said, “I hope I can do it.”

The Saturday night favourite returned to screens this weekend amid a huge scandal and a surprise victory for the NTA on its 20th anniversary.

Olympian Tom Dean will compete with Nadiya Bychkova and pop singer Toyah Willcox will dance with Neil Jones, following her return to the series after a three-year absence.

Amy Dowden, who made a triumphant return to the series following her battle with breast cancer, will dance with JLS singer JB Gill.

EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick will dance with Michelle Tsiakkas, while Gladiators star Montell Douglas will compete with Johannes Radebe.

Karen Hauer has been paired with former footballer Paul Merson, and former TOWIE star Pete Wicks will dance with Jowitza Przysta.

Luba Mushtuk will guide DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles through the process, while hockey champion Sam Quek has teamed up with Celebrity Big Brother’s Nikita Kuzmin and Chris McCausland with Diane Buswell.

Opera singer Wynne Evans, best known to TV audiences for starring in the GoCompare adverts, has teamed up with Katya Jones and the line-up is completed by former X Factor winner Shayne Ward and his professional partner Nancy Xu.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 21 September on BBC1.