Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Who was sent home in week five?

Comedian Eddie Kadi faced Love Island's Zara McDermott in the dance off.

Strictly Come Dancing Week 5 saw Eddie Kadi face Zara McDermott in the dance off. (BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing Week 5 saw Eddie Kadi face Zara McDermott in the dance off. (BBC)

What did you miss?

Strictly Come Dancing said goodbye to comedian Eddie Kadi after his Samba landed him in the dance off.

The Fighting Talk star faced former Love Island contestant and documentary maker Zara McDermott in the bottom two, despite being the first celebrity of the series to score a 10 for his Couples Choice in Movies Week.

Kadi and professional partner Karen Hauer came bottom of the leader board in Week 5 and failed to do enough to save themselves in the dance off.


What, how, and why?

Eddie Kadi is the fourth contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2023. (BBC)
Eddie Kadi is the fourth contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2023. (BBC)

Kadi was bottom of the leader board on Saturday night after scoring just 24 out of 40 for his Samba to Calm Down by Rema and Selena Gomez.

Following the public vote the comedian landed in the dance off with McDermott.

The Love Island star was joint third from the bottom with TV presenter Angela Scanlon with a score of 28 out of 40 for her American Smooth to Can’t Fight The Moonlight by LeAnn Rimes with partner Graziano Di Prima.

After both couples danced again, the judges all voted to save McDermott.

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
The Strictly Come Dancing judges all voted to save Zara McDermott. (BBC)

Craig Revel Horwood claimed one couple stood out as a clear winner, saying: “For me the quality of dance in this couple was far superior and the couple I would like to save - Zara and Graziano.”

Motsi Mabuse disagreed: “For me, it was extremely close. The quality was actually very, very close. It came down to details and I would love to save Zara and Graziano.”

Anton Du Beke said: “Well, I thought that was an excellent dance off. I thought both couples danced very, very well but for me with a slightly cleaner technique, I’d like to save Zara and Graziano.”

With a majority verdict Kadi was already out of the competition, but head judge Shirley Ballas agreed she would have saved Zara and Graziano.

Kadi said: “I’ve really enjoyed this, firstly I want to thank the judges for being incredible and so kind. And I want to thank my Strictly family.

"I came to Strictly because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do – I love dancing. I have had a career that has been up and down and this has been the highest moment of my career. It’s the happiest I’ve ever been, but not just for me – my family. My little baby girl is at home doing the Men in Black dance.

"More importantly, this little African boy, I just wanted my culture to shine. Everything I stand for, when it comes to my comedy, when it comes to my presenting, is based on my culture, is based on my upbringing and I wanted that to shine most importantly.

"Even more importantly this wonderful Queen [Karen Hauer] from Venezuela, who showed me so much love.

Eddie Kadi said Strictly Come Dancing has been the highlight of his career. (BBC)
Eddie Kadi said Strictly Come Dancing has been the highlight of his career. (BBC)

"There are two parts to this show – we want to entertain. I believe that God has brought this to me, I just want to make people happy and this gem over here has kept me happy – I love you so much God bless you.”

Professional partner Hauer told him: “You are a treasure, I’m going to miss you – well I’ll see you tomorrow! We’re going to take up Congolese dancing. I just want to thank you so much for being so positive and bringing such light and smiling, just a beauty to all of us, I want to thank you so much.”

In Movies Week Kadi danced his Couples Choice to Men In Black and scored the first 10 from head judge Ballas who told him: "It's never too early for a 10 from Shirley."


What else happened on Strictly?

Professional dancer Carlos Gu stole the show as he led the female dancers in a 60s theme dance inspired by choreographer Bob Fosse, director of hit musicals including Cabaret and Chicago.

Professional dancers Gorka Marquek and Luba Mushtuk both shared their pride in the performance on Instagram, commenting with fire emojis.

British Indie band Bastille performed their hit single Pompeii in collaboration with the new series of Sir David Attenborough's nature documentary show Planet Earth III, which began on BBC One this week just before the Strictly results show.

The dance floor came alive with CGI images of living creatures as frontman Dan Smith sang to the live orchestral accompaniment from composer Hans Zimmer.


Will we be back for more?

Next week is Halloween Week which will see the remaining celebrities dress to distress in spooky costumes and perform dances they hope will send shivers down the judges spines for all the right reasons.

Amanda Abbington is taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2023. (BBC)
Amanda Abbington is due back on the Strictly dance floor in Halloween Week. (BBC)

Sherlock star Amanda Abbington was absent this week due to illness. If she does not recover in time for Saturday's show she may be forced to pull out of the competition.

Strictly Come Dancing airs/streams on BBC One on Saturday and Sunday evenings.


Read more: Strictly Come Dancing

Watch: Zara McDermott impersonates her Strictly dance partner Graziano Di Prima