Small responds to 'Strictly' racism claims

Heather Small has insisted that racism is not to blame for her Strictly Come Dancing struggles.

The M People singer has spoken out following the row sparked by athlete John Regis, who suggested that viewers are influenced by skin colour when they cast their votes.

Small and her dance partner Brian Fortuna have won praise from the judges in recent weeks, but have found themselves in the dance-off three times after failing to pick up support from viewers.

"For me personally, if someone wants to have a proper conversation about bigotry and race then great, but not in a context that's salacious. It's too serious a topic for that," Small told the Daily Mail. "If I'm going to discuss it I'm going to be proactive about it, not reactive. Have I ever experienced discrimination, well, of course I have.

"But there's a time and a place to discuss these things, and it's not something that should be just flung at a situation. In terms of Strictly, if I didn't think people were going to be fair to me, then I wouldn't have taken part."

Strictly Come Dancing continues at 6.00pm tonight on BBC One.