BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Tess Daly 'so sorry' as viewers 'gutted' by announcement as credits roll
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were gutted with the result of tonight's first elimination. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned to front Sunday's edition as Tom Dean exited the show.
The Olympic gold medallist competed against Toyah Willcox in Sunday's dance-off. However, Anton Du Beke was the only judge that decided to save the swimmer, which meant he was confirmed as the first celebrity to go home in this season of the BBC contest.
Tess provided words of comfort to Tom after his exit was confirmed. She said: "That means we are going to have to say goodbye to Tom and Nadiya [Bychkova]. Oh my goodness me, I am so sorry to see you here, I really am. You came straight from the Paris Olympics to the Strictly dancefloor. Have you enjoyed your time with us?"
Tom confirmed he was sad to be leaving as he responded: "I've had the best time. Nadiya's been incredible and I wish I could have gone further and done more dances but I did give it my all tonight.
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Nadiya heaped praise on her celebrity co-star as she said: "He's not just a three time Olympic champion, he's an absolute gentleman as well. On this programme, sometimes to win you don't need to win. And that's how I feel this year. I won by just getting you as a partner."
Tess and Claudia ended the episode by waving a goodbye to the departing couple. Claudia said: "We'll be back next Saturday at 6.25pm as our remaining couples will star in a movie week special. But now, with their final dance, it's Tom and Nadiya."
Tom and Nadiya performed for the last time to If I Could Turn Back Time as the credits rolled on the first elimination episode of this season. Viewers following the show on social media platform X were gutted with the result as the episode ended.
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Maire said: Gutted for Tom and Nadiya!" Charlotte commented: "Absolutely gutted for Tom and Nadiya. Robbed. I'm so sorry you've had to undeservedly go out first"
Eva added: "Am GUTTED for Tom he deserved so much better" Taylor said: "tbh did not expect that. Poor tom looked absolutely gutted he had so much potential