Strictly votes decision 'made on the spot'

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Singer Rachel Stevens today refused to join criticism of Strictly Come Dancing bosses after a tie between two couples, including herself, caused chaos with the public votes.

The 30-year-old star said a decision had to be made "on the spot" after judges in the hit show awarded the same number of points to model Lisa Snowdon along with herself, and their partners.

This meant that Holby City actor Tom Chambers could not be saved from the dance-off, no matter how many public votes he received.

To avoid this, Strictly bosses decided to allow all three couples to go through to the final.

Asked to comment, Stevens said: "I think some decisions had to be made on the spot, I think that is what happened."

She added that she was "thrilled" and "over the moon" to be in the final.

She said: "I am so excited to be in the final. It has been the most incredible experience, I have loved it. And to think that we have come this far and there are three couples in the final, I think it is going to be really exciting.

"I think it has been a really unpredictable show so 'watch this space', who knows what will happen?"

She added that she was very grateful for all the support she has received over the past six months.

It was announced that votes cast this weekend would be frozen and carried over to count next week with no refunds given for anyone who voted.

A spokesman for the show said it was felt that this was the fairest solution for both dancers and viewers.

He dismissed the suggestion that the flaw in the scoring system should have been spotted sooner, but said it would be reviewed.

"They (the producers) are going to look at ways in which they can avoid this situation happening again, definitely," he said.

"Exactly what's going to happen is yet to be debated and agreed, but that process will begin soon."

Fans voiced their anger on the Strictly website message boards, with many accusing show chiefs of fixing the results.