Yahoo News Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Radio star second celeb to be sent home
The dance-off was down to Nikita Kanda and Zara McDermott
What did you miss?
Movie week saw the end of the road for another Strictly Come Dancing contestant. Following Les Dennis, BBC radio presenter Nikita Kanda is the second star to leave the ballroom after losing the dance-off to Love Island's Zara McDermott even though Jody Kandy finished bottom of the leaderboard.
Kanda was also in the bottom two last week with many viewers wanting her to go home ahead of Dennis but she lived to dance another week along with partner Gorka Marquez.
After once again performing her jive set to Kids in America from Clueless, the vote went to the judges with all four opting to save McDermott.
What, how, and why?
Each judge outlined their reasons for choosing to send Kanda home with Craig Revel-Horwood commenting:“The couple I’d like to save had both technique and theatricality, and that couple is Zara & Graziano.”
Motsi Mabuse also said that Kanta made mistakes during her routine: “I thought both couples gave it their best, but one couple made a few mistakes that were quite visible, so that’s why I’m saving Zara and Graziano.”
Anton du Beke echoed Mabuse's thoughts: “I did think both couples danced better in the dance off, unfortunately there were a couple of small mistakes from one of the couples, so the couple I would like to save is Zara & Graziano.”
Speaking with Tess Daly after her elimination, Kanta said: “I don’t want to leave yet, I feel like I’ve let him down. I’ve had the best time and I love all my Strictly family, I’m going to miss you all. This has been a dream come true, I’m so grateful. I’ve got to say the biggest thankyou to Gorka, he has been the biggest support and I’ve had the best time ever.”
Marquez also reflected on his brief time dancing with Kanta: “I am beyond proud of her, for someone that doesn’t have any dance experience or performance experience to come on this show and dance in front of millions of people – for three weeks, I think it’s incredible. You should be very proud of yourself, you have never let me down and I am very proud of you. This show is going to teach you so many things about yourself that you can take with you and I take incredible memories. I’ve never laughed so much in three weeks than I did with you!”
What else happened on Strictly Come Dancing?
This week the musical guest was Madison Beer with the pop sensation performing her latest single Showed Me (How I fell In Love With You).
The professionals also performed a very pink dance tribute to the Barbie movie which stormed the box office this summer on the way to becoming the highest grossing film of 2023 and featured a few dance scenes of its own. Marquez was aptly cast as Ken with Dianne Buswell as Barbie.
Will we be back for more?
Thirteen celebrities remain in contention for the Glitterball Trophy with presenter Angela Scanlon seemingly head of the pack after landing a perfect 10 for her charleston on Saturday night.
If you want to hear more from Kanta and Marquez they will be joining Fleur East and Janette Manrara for an exclusive interview on Strictly: It Takes Two on 9 October on BBC Two and iPlayer.
The remaining thirteen couples will take to the dancefloor next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 14th October at 6:30pm with the results show on Sunday 15th October at 7:15pm on BBC One. Both of this weekend’s episodes are available to watch now via BBC iPlayer.
