Lee Ryan didn't exactly have the best first week on Strictly Come Dancing, with the Blue singer finding himself in the dreaded dance-off.
While he and dance partner Nadiya Bychkova were unanimously saved by the judges – Susannah Constantine and Anton Du Beke left the competition – Lee has now hit back defiantly at critics.
Posting a picture of a rhino on his Instagram account, Lee wrote: "I didn't survive in this industry for 20 years now without growing some thick skin like this dude!!
"I've been knocked down more times than a bowling pin – it's how you come back fighting that shows the true strength and character of a person you gotta drag me and @nadiyabychkova out of this show @bbcstrictly !!!"
Lee and Nadia's jive to 'Blue Suede Shoes' by Elvis Presley won the judges over in the end, Craig Revel-Horwood saying: "For me it's a no-brainer and the couple I would like to save is Lee and Nadiya".
Darcey Bussell added that their performance was "more rounded" and "stronger" than Susannah and Anton's, while Bruno Tonioli said they were the "overall better couple".
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Speaking after her elimination, Susannah said: "I know it has gone a bit quick, but you know what, I just feel so lucky to have had three weeks learning to dance with Anton and to have met all these amazing people.
"And for me they are the most important and I feel really privileged to have met them all, and it has been amazing. And thank you [judges], you've made the right choice you guys, Lee and Nadiya were brilliant but Anton is still the king!"
Strictly Come Dancing continues with Movie Week next Saturday (October 6) at 6.30pm on BBC One, with the results show airing on Sunday (October 7) at 7.45pm – right after the new episode of Doctor Who.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
