Strictly Come Dancing fans expressed their frustration after speculating that the judges planned to eliminate a couple, calling it "an absolute joke!"
Fans theorized that the judges were attempting to place Tasha Ghouri and JB in the bottom two by having them perform in the "death slots."
The first and second dances of a Strictly show are often referred to as "death slots" because viewers believe performers are less likely to succeed due to factors like pressure, being further from viewers' memories when voting opens, and an unenergized crowd.
"They're fully leaving Pete and Chris till the end.... they're trying so hard to get a Tasha and JB bottom two I feel sick," one fan wrote on X.
"Judges blatant goal for tonight is to put JB and Tasha in the death slots and intentionally score Tasha lower so they can get her gone. Hate this show," another commented.
Tasha Ghouri, 26, alongside her pro dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec, 34, opened Saturday night's semi-final with a sizzling salsa to Something New by Girls Aloud. Head judge Shirley Ballas called it a "beautiful performance," awarding them nearly perfect scores despite suggesting some improvements needed for transitions and lifts.
Later, their Waltz to Aretha Franklin's A Natural Woman earned them a perfect score of 40. JLS alumni JB, 38, with his pro partner Lauren Oakly, 33, also scored 40 points for their Salsa to Red Alert by Basement Jaxx.
"Reading that Tasha is in the death slot... FK THIS SHOW man. Why are they doing everything to protect Pete?" another fan posted.
"JB and Tasha in the death slots is... wow I see what you're doing #strictly," noted another viewer.
Despite these theories, it was ultimately Pete Wicks and Jowita who ended up leaving after facing off against Tasha and Aljaz in the dance-off. The judges chose to save Tasha and Aljaz just one week before the final competition round.
Pete finished at the bottom of the leaderboard following mixed reviews for his Foxtrot with Jowita which earned them only 32 points. Shirely Ballas praised him as 'Mr Strictly Come Dancing,' while Craig Revel Horwood critiqued their Tango performance as lacking technique.
The remaining four couples—Chris & Dianne; JB & Lauren; Sarah & Vito; along with saved duo Tash & Aljaz—are set for next week's Grand Final where each will perform three dances vying for victory on this season’s series finale stage!