Paul Merson hits back BBC Strictly fans after claiming he ‘doesn’t want to be there’ after one week: ‘Not community service’

Strictly Come Dancing star Paul Merson has seemingly hit back at the BBC One dancing competition viewers are they claimed he didn’t seem like he wanted to be there during the launch and week one.

Last week, Merson – who is paired with professional dancer Karen Hauer – performed an American Smooth to the football-themed song Vindaloo on the opening night.

However, whilst the pair were speaking to Claudia Winkleman, fans noted that they felt the football star seemed less than thrilled to be on the show and took to their X accounts.

One fan noted: “Does Paul actually want to be there? Two weeks in a row he’s looked bored out of his nut and really not wanting to be there.”

“Paul really doesn’t want to be there!” another noted before a third added: “I just said the same thing to my OH – are they blackmailing him to be here or something!”

A fourth quipped: “They must be paying Merson some big bucks to be on this show! He looks miserable during every interview he does… at least crack a smile and pretend made.” (sic)

Tonight, the couple performed the Salsa to Fireball by Pitbull, John Ryan – and left Merson to hit back at the claims that he isn’t on “community service” and was choosing to stay the competition.

Speaking about their performance, Winkleman noted: “Your wife is in the audience, how is she feeling about all of this? Does she go ‘Paul, what has happened? Where have you gone?’ Is she into it?”

Merson admitted: “She was a bit like Craig to be fair, I showed her the video yesterday and slaughtered it and I was like ‘My God not you as well’.”

“Do you enjoy it?” Winkleman probed before Merson confirmed: “I love it. It’s not community service, is it? I don’t have to do it, I want to do it. I want to do it.”

For their Salsa, Craig Revel Horwood scored them a two, Motsi Mabuse a four, Shirley Ballas a four and Anton du Beke a five, giving them a grand total of 15 out of a possible 40 to add to their score of 17 from last week.

Elsewhere, fans were outraged at Horwood for his alcohol-related comment to Merson – despite his openness about being a recovering alcoholic and his struggles.

At the beginning of the routine, Merson was cooking at a BBQ with a prop drink in his hand, before he got rid of the glass and began the choreography.

Horwood noted that Merson’s feet were “glued to the floor” whilst Hauer simply “danced around” him.

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He commented: “Obviously the drinks at the BBQ gave you the confidence to do that.”

Merson looked at his feet and mumbled: “I don’t drink,” leaving Tess Daly looking unimpressed as she shook her head in Horwood’s direction.