Yahoo News 'Strictly Come Dancing' result: Who was first to leave the 2020 contest?
Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has become the first person to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2020 after her Samba was likened to being “lost at a party, drunk”.
Smith, who was partnered with Anton Du Beke, had struggled in both live shows leading up to the first public vote, coming bottom of the leaderboard in the first two weeks with scores of 13 and 12 points.
Watch: Who are the Strictly Come Dancing Contestants?
Read more: Strictly couple are missing each other in COVID bubble
But her Samba to Tom Jones’ Help Yourself performed on Halloween drew particularly horrified reactions from judges and viewers on Saturday night.
Feathers, fountains and a whole lot of fun. It can only be @Jacqui_Smith1 and @TheAntonDuBeke! 🎉 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/4nAhOoE9lI
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) October 31, 2020
Craig Revel Horwood told her: “You were limping about like you were lost at a party somewhere, drunk.”
Scores from weeks one and two were added together, leaving Smith firmly at the bottom of the leaderboard, and although she went up against reality TV star Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer in the public vote, it was no surprise to Strictly fans that she and Du Beke were the first couple to leave the contest.
Jacqui didn't stand a chance
the last 30 seconds she was sat in a floating chair 🤣🤣🤣 #Strictly— Matt 🎃🎃 (@Pringster78) November 1, 2020
Not much suspense about this is there? Taxi for Jacqui... #Strictly
— Jane Toft 🌿 (@JaneToft) November 1, 2020
All three judges voted to keep Laing and send Smith home.
Smith said: “I’ve had the greatest adventure it’s possible to imagine.
“But I don’t feel too much shame in losing to these guys because they are a fantastic bunch of dancers.”
Feel really sorry for Jacqui. She’s obviously not a natural dancer, but I feel if she’d got another pro they might have been a bit more ambitious for her #Strictly
— Felix (@foxcubofwm) November 1, 2020
Praising the show’s production team, she added: “If ever we needed Strictly, we need it now.”
Meanwhile, her partner Du Beke thanked her for her “shocking sense of humour”.
🎉 @Jacqui_Smith1 and @TheAntonDuBeke are the first couple to leave the competition, but they definitely went out with a bang! #Strictly pic.twitter.com/8oQGPdmk0P
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 1, 2020
At the other end of the leaderboard, joint top scorers were EastEnders actor Maisie Smith with her partner Gorka Marquez, and popstar HRVY with his partner Janette Manrara.
But the points board is only based on the judges’ votes, and viewers have made it clear that they love comedian Bill Bailey, actor Caroline Quentin, and boxer Nicola Adams in this year’s line-up.
There are about three good things in 2020 and watching Bill Bailey dance is one of them #Strictly
— Olivia Grace (@livpurvis) October 31, 2020
Saturday night’s live show came close to being severely delayed when Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new lockdown announcement ran hours later than originally scheduled.
However, even such a huge incident was unable to keep Strictly off our screens, with it being delayed by only a few minutes as the lockdown news coverage was moved over to BBC Two.
The press conference has now been put back to 6.30pm apparently.
At this rate Tess and Claudia will be introducing Boris and Whitty doing a Salsa to Come Outside. #Lockdown2 #Strictly— Ian Hyland (@HylandIan) October 31, 2020
Viewers were introduced to the latest change to the show in the name of COVID at the first results show, as host Claudia Winkleman interviewed each of the couples safe from elimination in a moving line through the mezzanine area rather than having them all sitting in one group.
The episode also featured a performance from Sam Smith, and a Halloween-themed group dance from the professionals.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 7.25pm on BBC One.
