Strictly Come Dancing fans heartbroken over Shayne Ward's plea hours before 'unfair' exit

viewers were left "gutted", as left the BBC series just hours after his emotional plea.

Shayne had begged viewers to keep him in and help him get to Blackpool for the special week, for a very poignant reason. It wasn't just to get the chance to hit the Blackpool ballroom floor, with him sharing his reasons why it was so important.

After he and Nancy Xu performed on Saturday night, the pair could do no more and begged viewers for votes. Taking to X, Shayne shared a video with the caption: "Please get us to Blackpool."

As he declared the voting lines were open, he begged fans to help him and Nancy survive another week so that they could perform in Blackpool, meaning his mum could watch him live. His mum Philomena had not yet been able to watch him in the studio, with Shayne opening up previously about her health battles.

Shayne said that heading to Blackpool would mean his mum could travel and watch live from the audience, a huge moment for both of them. As Shayne pleaded with fans for votes, just hours later he was out of the competition.

In scenes shown on Sunday night's results show, Shayne and Nancy sadly lost the dance-off against Wynne Evans and Katya Jones. After a tie occurred with two votes each, Head Judge ' vote was the overall decider, meaning Shayne was going home.

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Viewers slammed the decision, furious with Shayne being eliminated especially as it was technically a tie. But many viewers couldn't help notice Shayne's earlier post about wanting votes, seeing how much it would mean for him to have had his mum there watching.

Fans were left saying "sorry" to the singer, admitting they were "gutted" over his "unfair" exit from the series, even more so after his plea hours earlier. One viewer posted: "Gutted - definitely a better dancer, so sorry to see you go." Another agreed: "So sorry to see you leave. You deserved to stay."

A third fan wrote: "Shayne, gutted you're not going to Blackpool, I voted you as you give heart and soul and you Nancy great partnership. Sorry wanted mum to see you at Blackpool, lovely thought.. always believe in yourself Shayne."

Another comment read: "Sorry Shayne absolute travesty you being sent home @ShirleyBallas chose a happy song and dance. About time everyone danced same dance each week, as the competitions are done you cannot judge slow dance against fast completely different. You have been a joy to watch thank you."

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , , and .