BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans slam 'most ridiculous' elimination after 'shocking' first results show
Strictly Come Dancing returned to screens tonight (Sunday 29) for the first results show of the series, but fans have been left 'shocked' by the first elimination.
Olympic champion Tom Dean has become the first celebrity to leave this year's Strictly Come Dancing. The results from the public vote saw the gold-medallist swimmer, 24, go head-to-head with singer and actress Toyah Willcox, 66, in the dance-off.
Tom performed his energetic cha cha once again with his professional partner Nadiya Bychkova to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire, which saw him land a score of 20 from the judges on Saturday night. This brought his total score to 43 after being awarded 23 points last week for his tango to Harry Styles’s song Golden.
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Toyah and her pro partner Neil then performed their lively jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner for the second time in a bid to impress the judges. They picked up 18 points which put them at the bottom of the leaderboard with a total of 30 after getting a score of just 12 last week.
Once both couples had danced for a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both opting to save Toyah and Neil, whilst Anton Du Beke chose save Tom. It was then down to head judge Shirley Ballas who had the deciding vote, and she chose to save Toyah.
After learning his fate, Tom reflected on his time on the show and said: “I’ve had the best time the last few weeks and getting to work with Nadiya has been incredible. I wish I could have gone further and done more dances.
He then added: “I’ve had the most fun and I wish we could keep going longer and longer. We’ll still go out for loads of brunches I’m sure.”
His dance partner Nadiya said she discovered Tom is not just a three-time Olympic champion but a “true gentleman”. “He taught me how to work really hard and how to put everything in”, she added. “And you know what? On this programme, sometimes to win, you don’t need to win, and that’s how I feel this year.”
Taking to X as the results were announced, one fan @Lilacrose109 fumed: "WTF #strictly?!? That has got to be one of the most ridiculous eliminations ever! Can only think that the producers want to even out the gender imbalance or maybe hoping a bit of controversy will help ratings?! #StrictlyComeDancing."
@TypicalTKx said: tbh did not expect that. poor tom looked absolutely gutted he had so much potential #strictly," as @the1WT wrote: "I don't think you should have left #Strictly tonight Tom. Unfair decision."
@Rustybobs said: "Strictly is back with a bang bringing the shock results from the off! #strictly," as @CateMosse wrote: "Bit of a shock exit… #Strictly," and @MadeinKendal agreed: "SHOCK!! Although a poor dance off to be honest. First one nerves. #Strictly."