
When Ed Balls was voted off Strictly Come Dancing last night, the professional dance world probably breathed a sigh of relief.
But the internet is devastated.
Love him or hate him, the sheer incongruenty of watching a former shadow chancellor on Strictly united the nation every week.
And the former Labour MP certainly won himself more smiles on the dance floor than he ever did in Parliament.
This is actually one of the best things I have ever seen on British television https://t.co/SZV43zxscn @edballs @bbcstrictly #KeepBallsIn— Jeremy Vine (@Jeremy Vine) 1475360400
Despite often being at the bottom of the board, the public voted to keep him in time and time again, as the world as we knew it crumbled around us.
He became, in the words of Ed Miliband, a national treasure - and a source of internet hilarity.
Me arriving confident at a party after a couple of drinks #Strictly https://t.co/IwtYZh3GFm— Scott Bryan (@Scott Bryan) 1476561108
You're not the judges' champion, but you are the people's champion!
- Len Goodman, Strictly Come Dancing judge
Sadly, according to this YouGov survey from last week, popularity with voters had finally begun to wane.
Like all good things, Disco Balls boogying the night away had to come to an end. He took it like a gentleman...
I've had the most fabulous three months on Strictly and this week was definitely the right time for me to go. Thank-you all at @bbcstrictly— Ed Balls (@Ed Balls) 1480276715
But the internet wasn't so graceful...
How's about a second referendum on Edxit? @edballs @SCD_UK #strictly— Nick Robinson (@Nick Robinson) 1480277901
Nevertheless, many VIPs wished him well, implicitly acknowledging that his dad dancing shone a light into the abyss of 2016...
Well done @edballs - we're very proud of you! #Strictly won't be the same without you.— David Cameron (@David Cameron) 1480277818
Energy, enthusiasm and passion in every performance - congrats to @edballs for a great @bbcstrictly run #strictly https://t.co/6AR7IOu7rE— Sadiq Khan (@Sadiq Khan) 1480277486
RT to say goodbye to the man, the legend the #Strictly phenomenon that was @EdBalls! #EdBalls https://t.co/2fh1FhW4YC— BBC Strictly ✨ (@BBC Strictly ✨) 1480276615
And while we hope never to see this bats*** crazy mask dance ever again...
...may it never be forgotten: the moment an MP saved 2016 with Gangnam Style.
In the words of the TLS editor...
Each week, Ed Balls sacrifices his dignity to heal the wounds of this divided land. Thank you, Ed Balls. Thank you. https://t.co/ihdkeR2kYz— Stig Abell (@Stig Abell) 1478983537
More: Watching Ed Balls dance to Gangnam Style is a tonic for every bad thing that's happened in 2016
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