BBC Strictly fans 'feel so sorry' for Karen Hauer as Paul Merson 'doesn't want to be there'

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left feeling ‘sorry’ for Karen Hauer as they claimed that her celebrity partner Paul Merson ‘didn’t want to be there’.

The BBC hit show made a return to our TV screens on Saturday night as 15 famous faces took to the dance floor hoping to impress the judges and viewers at home.

Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman took on their regular hosting duties on Saturday night following last week's successful first show of the series.

Ex-footballer Paul and partner Karen performed the first salsa of the new series to Fireball by Pitbull however they didn’t manage to win over the judges as they scored 15 points overall.

Viewers watching at home were quick to spot tension between the pair as they claimed that Paul looked like he ‘didn’t want to be there’.

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One said: “#Strictly somebody save Karen I feel so sorry for Karen. #scd #strictly.” One fan pointed out: “Paul Merson clearly doesn’t want to be there #Strictly.”

Another said: “Would love it one year if they just let the “older” celebs like Paul Merson have a fair shot without turning them into the joke act. Not fair on them & not fair on the pro. #strictly.”

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Strictly Come Dancing live show airs every Saturday on BBC One and iPlayer