Ahead of the forthcoming ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ series, two of the brand new dancers have been criticised for performing a routine, dressed in fat suits.
A video has emerged of married couple Neil and Katya Jones, two of the professionals unveiled last month for the hit BBC1 ballroom dancing show, in the oversized outfits.
The couple were competing back in 2014 in the Professional Latin World Show-dance Championship when they donned the outfits for a number they called ‘Fat ChaCha’, which they concluded by pretending to be out of breath.
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"The Fat ChaCha" has not gone down well with some members of the dance community
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They immediately sparked criticism when the video emerged, with viewers slamming them for bad taste. One commenter on social media wrote: “Your fat suit routine is a disgrace to the dance community. Dance should be positive and inclusive and your shameful routine is in extremely poor taste.”
Another said: “Fat ChaCha by Neil and Ekaterina Jones is fat shaming and stigmatising, wearing fat suits to ridicule fat bodies is harmful.”
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Neil and Katya's spokesperson has said they didn't mean to offend
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There were also some voicing concerns that the routine would discourage overweight participants from taking up dance.
Their spokesperson has said in response to the criticism:
“Neil and Katya’s show-dance was never intended to offend - the pair were placed second on the competition.”
Neil and Katya were two of the new dancers unveiled last month for the forthcoming series of ‘Strictly’ - following the departure of stars Gleb Savchenko, Aliona Vilani, Ola Jordan, Kristina Rihannof and Tristan MacManus.
Tap the first picture below to open our slideshow:
'Strictly Come Dancing' 2016: All The Rumoured Contestants
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Paul Burrell(03 of12)
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After appearing in the 'I'm A Celebrity' jungle and a house guest on 'Celebrity Big Brother', the former royal butler is now tipped to be giving 'Strictly' a try. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Angelica Bell(04 of12)
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According to a report from June, Angelica is the first celebrity 'confirmed' for the 'Strictly' line-up. However, given the show was still months away at that point, we'll have to wait and see. (credit:Anthony Harvey via Getty Images)
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes(05 of12)
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Eamonn and Ruth - pictured here in a rather swanky photo from the NTAs - were chosen specifically by Craig Revel Horwood as his picks for this year's line-up.
He says: 'Wouldn’t it be great to have a husband and wife team on the show? It would be fantastic. But they’d be very competitive - the arguments at home...' (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Debbie McGee(06 of12)
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Debbie has said she'd love to take part in 'Strictly' in memory of her late husband, Paul Daniels, who was also a past contestant. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Ryan Thomas(07 of12)
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The former 'Coronation Street' actor has a lot of time on his hands now he's bid farewell to the cobbles - sparking speculation he's about to follow in former co-star Georgia May Foote's footsteps (or should that be footesteps?) (no it should probably be footsteps). (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Tameka Empson(08 of12)
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Soap stars have become as integral a part as 'Strictly' as body glitter and Bruno Tonioli's exaggerated hand movements, so rumours of Tameka Empson's appearance could well have a grain of truth in them. (credit:Anthony Harvey via Getty Images)
Måns Zelmerlöw(09 of12)
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Following his successful stint hosting Eurovision in 2016 (and performing a year earlier), BBC bosses were reported to be keen for Måns to appear on 'Strictly', with a source describing him as 'very good-looking' and 'eye candy'. (credit:IBL/REX/Shutterstock)
Michaela Strachan(10 of12)
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There are always a few BBC stars thrown into the mix when the 'Strictly' line-up is announced, and 'Springwatch' host Michaela is thought to be the latest. (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Michelle Dockery(11 of12)
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'Strictly' bosses are said to be 'desperate' to sign up former 'Downton Abbey' actress Michelle, particularly now she's no longer associated with ITV. (credit:Taylor Hill via Getty Images)
Charlotte Crosby(12 of12)
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Possibly hoping to ride the wave that Vicky Pattison created with her 'I'm A Celebrity' appearance, Charlotte is now hoping she can turn things around for herself with a stint on 'Strictly'.
She's even encouraged her fans to set up a petition on Twitter for the BBC to consider her for the show. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)