Caroline Quentin has claimed fans ‘not liking her licking a black man’ was the reason behind backlash over her controversial Strictly Cha-Cha with Johannes Radebe.
The actress, 60, and pro Johannes, 33, ignited social media opinion with the kooky gesture in November, with Caroline revealing Johannes had said: ‘People don’t like that you licked a black man’ as he looked at Twitter.
The pair ultimately landed in the dance-off with Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez before being dumped from the competition.
Moment: Moment: Caroline Quentin has claimed fans ‘not liking her licking a black man’ was the reason behind backlash over her controversial Strictly Cha-Cha with Johannes Radebe
The Men Behaving Badly star said it ‘never occurred to her’ the dance would ignite controversy, telling the Guardian: ‘Not until Johannes came off, because he’s always looking at Twitter, and he went: ‘Oh God… ‘People don’t like the fact you licked me.’ I said: ‘Why not?’ He said: ‘You licked a black man.’
‘I said: “Do you think it’s that, Jo?” He said: “I’m sure it is.” I said: “F***, that’s depressing.” And the word came down: “People have been upset by you licking him.”‘
Caroline added the gesture was ‘consensual licking’ and that Johannes was ‘completely complicit’, before adding: ‘It was meant to be funny. So get a sense of humour or f*** off. One or the other. I don’t care.”’
Caroline also took a swipe at the ballroom show, saying while it was a ‘well-oiled machine’ she felt it could become ‘insensitive’ to individuals.
Reaction: The actress, 60, and pro Johannes, 33, divided social media opinion with the kooky gesture during the Cha Cha in November, with Caroline revealing Johannes had said: ‘People don’t like that you licked a black man’ as he looked at Twitter
In November Caroline seemed to be in her element during the ‘Blackpool’ special of the show, throwing herself into the fun-filled routine in which she and her cat are saved by the South African choreographer.
Just as she was performing some intricate moves, the star leant forward and got a taste of her partner’s bicep, before moving seamlessly into her next step.
Watching at home, Strictly fans were shocked by what they saw and rushed to Twitter to comment on the cheeky moment.
‘Let’s face it, we’d all lick Johannes if we had the chance’ commented one viewer.
While a second asked: ‘Is that the first ever choreography in Strictly history that involved a celeb trying to lick their partner?’
Hitting back: Caroline added the gesture was ‘consensual licking’ and that Johannes was ‘completely complicit’, before adding: ‘It was meant to be funny. So get a sense of humour or f*** off’
‘What a fun routine. In fairness I’d lick Johannes too’ joked a third.
‘Did Caroline just lick Johannes mid-routine ????? Mood’ asked a fourth.
A disbelieving fifth watcher said: ‘Did Caroline just lick Johannes’s arm?? Or did I imagine that??’
While another didn’t agree with her actions, remarking: ‘So why is it okay for Caroline Quentin to lick (and the rest) Johannes, a younger male professional? Imagine if it was the other way round? Would judges be reacting the same if Bill did that with Oti?’
And it wasn’t just viewers at home who noticed Caroline’s cheeky move as the judges did too.
Head judge Shirley started praising Caroline’s routine, remarking on her ‘beautiful posture’, before she suddenly turned her attention to the lick.
I’d do it again! Caroline later defended the gesture during an appearance with her dance partner It Takes Two
Pointing to the dance floor, she asked: ‘Were you licking his arm then?’
With host Tess Daly confirming: ‘She licked his arm!’
Responding to their remarks, Caroline said: ‘I was licking his arm for the nation, I’d like to say’ as Johannes giggled behind her.
Finishing off her critique, Shirley then added: ‘What a really really good try, well done, very good. Very entertaining.’
Guest judge Anton Du Beke quipped: ‘She didn’t need rescuing – she seemed to be having a marvellous time!’
He added that the performance was ‘tremendous’ and hailed it as Caroline’s best dance so far.
You go girl! Caroline seemed to be in her element during the ‘Blackpool’ special of the show, throwing herself into the fun-filled routine in which she and her cat are saved by the South African choreographer
Reaction: Watching at home, Strictly fans were shocked by what they saw and rushed to Twitter to comment on the cheeky moment
However, Craig Revel Horwood wasn’t so impressed by Caroline’s use of tongue in the performance as he scolded: ‘I think Johannes is the one in need of saving. We could have done without the tongue action!
‘I felt like I was watching an episode of Are You Being Served darling!’
But he did then add of the actual dance: ‘I loved it – cheeky, cheesy, all the things I love… and Shirley loves, it seems too!’
The pair bagged a trio of 8s but still landed in the bottom two alongside Maisie Smith, and were sent home.
Appearing on It Takes Two days after their elimination, Caroline staunchly defended the gesture.
The actress was unapologetic as she took to the sofa after the pair’s controversial Cha Cha routine, declaring she’d ‘do it again tomorrow.’
She said: ‘I don’t think I have made a secret of the fact that I am quite fond of Johannes.
‘It was really nice to do a dance where I was allowed to express my absolute adoration. We didn’t actually practice it in the rehearsal.
‘It came out during the dress run, and it was given the stamp of approval by people who know about that sort of thing.’
‘I’d do it again tomorrow, I am entirely unapologetic about it.’
Unanimous: The pair bagged a trio of 8s but still landed in the bottom two alongside Maisie Smith, and were sent home