Strictly Come Dancing fans have reacted to Paul Merson’s controversial first dance song – and they aren’t happy.
Paul joined the likes of Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland, Pete Wicks, Tom Dean, JB Gill, Jamie Borthwick, and Sam Quek as the hit BBC show returned tonight for its 20th-anniversary series.
While the series hits screens live each weekend, the launch show was pre-recorded, as the celeb and pro pairings were revealed, as well as their first routine before the couples head into training.
While recording the launch, former professional footballer Paul, 56, was reportedly visibly ‘fuming’ upon learning he would be dancing to World Cup anthem Vindaloo.
This allegedly saw him forced to re-film the moment after execs noticed his disappointed expression.
What we actually saw this weekend, though, was Paul feigning frustration with his pro partner, Karen Hauer, after she announced they would be dancing an American smooth to the track.
While the song played in the studio, the other stars danced, Karen laughed, while Paul put his head into his hands.
‘I don’t know how I’m gonna choreograph this,’ Karen quipped, telling Paul: ‘It’s called an American Smooth, but it might be a little bit different.’
Paul was soon back smiling, though, as he bonded with his partner, the longest-serving pro on Strictly.
Taking to X after the big reveal, fans shared were overwhelmingly shocked, with some believing Paul to be purposely set up to fail, given that Vindaloo is hardly your typical ballroom soundtrack.
‘Dancing an American Smooth to Vindaloo sounds horrific. Why do they shoehorn such terrible songs into the dances just to ‘fit the brief’. Even Sweet Caroline would’ve been better & I’m sick of that song now. Poor Karen. There’ll be nothing smooth happening there’, ranted Cogs39.
‘Have absolutely no idea how Paul Merson’s American Smooth is going to work to Vindaloo, why would you do him and Karen like that for the first dance’, said jesshoskingx.
LoubieSav asked, ‘what the hell is wrong with people at Strictly’, while danaemolina declared the song choice ‘insane’.
Vindaloo has established itself as a favourite among footie hooligans, but the 1998 Fat Les song has also been deemed racist.
One audience previously member told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Paul looked really cross. The celebrities and their partners were being told what songs they would have. Lots of them were given lovely classics – then he got Vindaloo.’
The Strictly fan added that they don’t blame Paul – who played in the 1998 World Cup in France – for his response.
‘You can’t blame him for thinking he is being set up to be the joke act, but also the connotations of it [the song] are also not exactly positive either.
‘It has been accused of being racist and the song that far-Right football hooligans sing.’
They blasted the BBC for behaving in a ‘thoughtless’ way by assigning him the tune, ‘particularly given all of the scandals that have engulfed the show for the last nine months.’
Of course, this was a reference to the sacking of two pros – Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima – after the former was accused of ‘bullying’ by Amanda Abbington, while Graziano has denied kicking Love Islander Zara McDermott in rehearsals.
Vindaloo was co-written by Blur bassist Alex James and Guy Pratt, and comedian Keith Allen – the father of Lily Allen – penned the lyrics.
However, the anthem later caused controversy when it surfaced that it was inspired by an argument between Keith and writer Farrukh Dhondy in 1989 on The Late Show.
After discussing political correctness, Keith told Farrukh: ‘It’s not a chip you’ve got on your shoulder, it’s a f*****g vindaloo.’
Keith initially claimed that he said the word ‘vindaloo’ because it is not directly linked to Asian culture, given that the type of curry allegedly came from Portugal.
But in 2016, presenter Nick Ahad, whose father is from Bangladesh, recalled the time a gang of white men wound down their car window to shout ‘vindaloo’ at him in the street.
Following his Strictly signing and having been revealed as a contestant last month, Paul shared the special reason behind his decision to sign up.
‘I’m doing it for my mum. My dad, if it wasn’t for my dad, I wouldn’t have been a footballer – my dad took me everywhere to play football. I’m giving something back to my mum,’ he shared sweetly.
‘My mum never got the credit she deserved. This is her favourite TV programme, and I promised I’d go on it. But I don’t know how much I’m going to embarrass myself.’
Noting that he’ll be well and truly pushing himself, he added: ‘I’m well out of my comfort zone. I’ve danced three times before and my weddings. No slow dancing. But God loves a trier.’
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing airs every Saturday and Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Strictly 2024 star pulling double duty with appearances on two hit reality shows at once
MORE : Strictly Come Dancing 2024 star speaks out about Giovanni Pernice romance
Hot Property Picks from Metro
UK 'Treasure Island' with more sheep than people has houses for just £169,000
I won a £2,000,000 Omaze home — but I almost lost it for a pint
What I Rent: I'm a YouTuber paying £3,000 per month for my Tottenham 2-bed
The ‘thinnest house’ in the world is 3ft wide — and there’s no electricity
The world's 'loneliest' house is so lonely that no one has ever lived there
Share this with