Celebrities and members of the public have rushed to show support for the girlfriend of Strictly star Seann Walsh, who released a powerful statement saying she is "not a victim" after he was pictured kissing his dance partner.
Actress Rebecca Humphries dumped the stand-up comedian on Twitter after both he and dancer Katya Jones issued apologies over photographs of them kissing on a "drunken" night out.
Her statement – in which she said she had received no personal apology and that she had taken the couple's cat – has since been retweeted and liked tens of thousands of times.
In reply to the post, singer and musician Myleene Klass said: "A situation recognisable to so many of us. You took more than the cat with you, you took your pride, your dignity and your self worth. Sending you so much love and support."
TV presenter Stacey Soloman called Ms Humphries a hero and said: "What a powerful, important message. You will help so many people going through similar experiences. You're amazing."
"Rebecca…..you deserve the best….and your best is yet to come," posted Carol Vorderman, while author Marian Keyes said: "I'm so upset for you, I've been thinking about you all day."
Speaking to Sky News, singer and former Strictly contestant Sophie Ellis-Bextor said Ms Humphries's statement was "really powerful".
She also spoke about the "intense" Strictly Come Dancing environment.
0:22"I haven't met either of the people involved in the Strictly scandal but I thought his girlfriend – ex-girlfriend – made a really powerful statement, which I liked," she told Sky News Sunrise.
"I think Rachel Riley [another former contestant] put it really well when she said it kind of holds a magnifying glass up to any fault lines that are there; I think it's true because it's very intense, but I think if you go in happy then you come out happy, like me."
Speculation has mounted that Walsh and Jones may quit the series before Saturday night's episode, with some calling for them to be axed and rumours the programme's bosses want them to leave.
A situation recognisable to so many of us. You took more than the cat with you, you took your pride, your dignity and your self worth. Sending you so much love and support x
— Myleene Klass (@KlassMyleene) October 9, 2018
What a powerful, important message. You will help so many people going through similar experiences. Youre amazing. X
— Stacey Solomon (@StaceySolomon) October 8, 2018
However, some people are backing the dance duo.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain during a debate over whether they should pull out of the series, Piers Morgan said he hopes they can "rise above the fray".
"So one drunken snog is going to ruin everything for them?" he said. "Is that now the barometer for them?"
Morgan said Jones's husband, Neil – who is also a dancer on the show – appears to have "accepted what happened as a mistake" and that Walsh "wasn't married".
Co-host Susanna Reid had also previously defended the pair, but said Humphries's public statement "changed everything".
Ms Humphries released her statement after the pictures of Walsh and Jones emerged, saying they were taken on her birthday and that she had been home alone.
Throughout the post she mocks the spelling of his name, writing it with one 'n', and accuses him of "controlling" behaviour.
In light of the story in today's newspaper I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions. This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.
— Seann Walsh (@seannwalsh) October 7, 2018
Im so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions. I wasnt thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks. I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship.
— katya Jones (@Mrs_katjones) October 7, 2018
In the weeks before the scandal, she had been fervently supporting her boyfriend on social media, captioning one Instagram picture of Walsh and Jones in their Strictly costumes: "I can't bloody breathe. These two legends are working their asses off.
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"Walsh has been doing moves on holiday, in coffee shops, around Westfield, at the pub, in his sleep. We have moved half our (very heavy) furniture to create a Shepherds Bush at home dance studio. I am LIVING for it. Get behind them."
Walsh has not commented since the statement was posted on Twitter.
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