Boag, Groves deny illegal lift claims

Ricky Groves and Erin Boag have denied that they used a lift during last Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing.

Ex-Eastenders star Groves and Boag, who scored 25 for their salsa in Blackpool, said that suggestions they used the illegal dance move were inaccurate.

Boag claimed that the duo "need all the points" they can get, insisting that they "wouldn't intentionally put a lift in".

"I go into the splits, but I'm holding my own weight," the professional dancer told It Takes Two, while watching video of the move. "He doesn't pick me up, I pick myself up off the floor.

"My feet are allowed to leave the ground as long as he doesn't physically pick me up and then put me down. Ricky goes around me and I'm holding my own weight. All Ricky does is steady me."

Groves and Boag also confirmed that they would be dancing a Viennese waltz on this Saturday's show, which airs at 6.50pm on BBC One.