The 29-year-old and professional partner Janette Manrara were eliminated after they failed to impress the judging panel with their Viennese Waltz to Who’s Loving You by Jackson 5.
Viewers took to social media in their droves to slam head judge Shirley Ballas who cast the deciding vote and eliminated the JLS singer, 29, who was previously a frontrunner in the competition.
One person wrote: “#Strictly Time to replace Shirley Ballas with Mary Berry. And for God sake retire Anton Du Beke!”
While a second posted on Twitter: “Shocking result.#Aston should have stayed as he would have certainly been in the final. Very Bad decision Shirley #strictly Lost a viewer.”
“What a joke, Craig and Shirley should be ashamed at what they did to Aston. Gives them more time to suck up to Mcgee now #strictly,” a third added.
A fourth irate audience member said: “Absolutely ridiculous result this evening. One of the best dancers dismissed by Shirley “Boring” Ballas. #astonmerrygold #Strictly.”
However, others agreed with Shirley, 57, as one audience member said: “Aston and Janette, 33, ended up in the dance-off facing off against Mollie King and AJ Pritchard in the bottom two.”
Someone else diplomatically reasoned: “I think Shirley Ballas knows more about dancing than most people on here. She preferred Mollie in the dance off, simple.#Strictly.”
“#Strictly Shirley made the right call based on THAT one dance It was all wrong, Wrong costume, music and choreography,” added another.
The Saturdays singer, 30, was saved by the judges with Shirley Ballas casting the deciding vote, saying: “Well again a very difficult choice, two fantastic couples and it’s very difficult to do.
“On technical accuracy, beautiful flow and full engagement during the dance, I’m saving Mollie and AJ.”
Reflecting on leaving the competition, Aston told host Tess Daly: “Honestly, every second of this, I’ve had friends who have done the show before and they’ve gone, ‘You’re going to have the most amount of fun from start to finish whatever it is’ and honestly they weren’t lying!
“Everything, from this lady to every single person in here, these four judges, yourself, Claudia, all you amazing lot up there that I get to see and spend so much time with. I’ve made some amazing friends and honestly I’ve had the best time, it’s been amazing.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One next Saturday at 6.45pm.
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