has defied expectations on Strictly Come Dancing, with many speculating that he would be long-eliminated – but there may be a hidden factor helping him stay in the race.
The 36-year-old TV star, along with his partner Jowita Przystal, 30, in recent weeks.
However, the public has continually kept them in the competition, saving them from the dance-off each time.Pete’s progression to the semi-final on Sunday raised eyebrows, especially after a slip-up during his quarter-final performance.
It was Love Island’s who ended up in the dance-off despite consistently ranking near the top. She faced Olympic athlete , and after the judges’ vote, Montell was sent home.
Pete and Jowita made it through after performing Somewhere from West Side Story. Research from SlotsCalendar revealed that Waltz routines tend to give celebrities a better chance of survival.
Joe has routinely landed in the bottom two (Image: BBC)
In fact, of the last 71 eliminations dating back to 2018, only one followed a Waltz performance. Other celebrities faced more challenging routines during Musicals Week.
and Vito Coppola performed a Charleston to Popular from Wicked, which has been linked to 12.68% of eliminations in recent years, making it the second riskiest dance after the Samba.
Fortunately for the remaining contestants, the Samba has already been performed. and Diane Buswell, among the favourites to win, performed the Quickstep, a routine responsible for just one elimination in the last six years.
Tasha and Aljaž took on the Argentine Tango, a dance with a higher elimination rate. and Lauren Oakley performed the Viennese Waltz, another safer option, which has resulted in only two eliminations.
Meanwhile, Montell and Johannes took on the notoriously difficult Rumba, which had sent five celebrities home, but they survived.
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Strictly announced the dances and setlist for the semi finals (Image: BBC)
Pete faces yet another “easy” dance leaving some after semi-final routines were revealed.
The programme disclosed the pair of dances on , sparking outrage among fans who believe the competition is skewed in favour of the ex-Towie star.
The announcement detailed Pete’s upcoming performances: “Pete and Jowita Argentine Tango to Bittersweet by Symphony The Verve and Foxtrot to Beyond The Sea by Bobby Darin.”
One user said: “Another week and Pete has still avoided the jive ahahahahah the show is fixed mate.” (sic) Another chimed in, questioning the dance choices: “Why does Pete get to avoid doing a Jive and a Charleston? Those are two really difficult dances that everyone else has had to do… seems unfair.”
A third fan expressed disappointment: “Are you joking me we’re not going to see a Pete Charleston or jive this season at all,” while another defended the selections: “Funny how it’s two of the hardest dances tho isn’t it.”
With Pete’s relatively safer routine and some ongoing public support, he may just dance his way into the finals.
* returns this weekend on One and iPlayer.