BBC denies 'Strictly' phone problems

The BBC has denied that there were any problems with the Strictly Come Dancing phone lines on Saturday's live show.

Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding became the third celebrity to exit the reality series after losing out in the dance-off to veteran actress Lynda Bellingham.

However, fans of Wilding have claimed that they were unable to vote for their favoured celebrity due to jammed phone lines.

"Sorry for so many of you who say you tried to vote and couldn't get through," wrote Wilding on Twitter. "Maybe you would have saved me."

A BBC spokesperson commented: "The phone lines are carefully monitored on the night and independently verified. There no reported problems with lines for any of the contestants."

Wilding and his professional partner Aliona Vilani were voted in the bottom two for the second time in the series after scoring only 21 points. Judge Craig Revel Horwood described Wilding as dancing like an "orangutan".