Video
Strictly Come Dancing 2016: Ed Balls survives for another week with his ‘somebody stop me’ samba
Ed Balls with his dance partner Katya Jones during Saturday's live edition of the BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing. Photo: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire - Credit: PA
Norwich City chairman Ed Balls coined the Mask's famous catchphrase - 'Somebody stop me' - before stepping out on the Strictly dancefloor on Saturday night.
Ed in action (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy/PA) - Credit: PA
But it didn't seem like anyone could stop the former shadow chancellor and his professional partner Katya Jones as they embraced this week's movie theme and sailed through to the next round, avoiding the dance-off.
The pair danced the samba, with Mr Balls donning a bright yellow suit and green face paint for the routine, which some on Twitter thought could be a nod to Norwich City.
But although he might be popular with viewers, the judges gave Mr Balls just 24 points for his performance.
'You're not the best dancer, but you're definitely the most fun' said Len Goodman.
You may also want to watch:
It wasn't low enough to see the duo in the dance off, however, as Tameka Empson and Laura Whitmore battled it out for their place on the show.
And it was Mrs Empson who won't be returning next week.
Most Read
- 1 Escape to the Country names 'north Norfolk's seaside capital'
- 2 Pretty thatched cafe business on Broads for sale for £75,000
- 3 The areas where Covid rates have fallen the fastest since lockdown began
- 4 'Small number' of staff at town's Tesco test positive for Covid-19
- 5 'We're all shocked' - Butchers shop attacked by vandals
- 6 Shock as cannabis factory found in quiet Broads' village
- 7 Anger as woodland used as 'playground and dustbin'
- 8 Giant Victorian underground reservoir marks supplying city for 150 years
- 9 Report into woman's murder by jealous ex: 'Employers must do more'
- 10 Homes plan to be revealed for former infant school
There was a lot of support for Mr Balls online, with fellow Norfolk-born celebrity Caroline Flack tweeting: 'Ed Balls on Strictly is just brilliant. Well done @bbcstrictly on last nights show.....everyone absolutely smashing it.'
Labour MP Richard Burden tweeted that Mr Balls' performance was 'astonishing', adding: ' I mean... Nope, can't describe it any other way. Just astonishing. Go for it Ed!'
Former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, Lord Ashcroft, added: 'I'm getting to like @edballs ...must lie down until the feeling passes...#strictly.'
