Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left disappointed by what they considered a surprising and “messed up” result, as an unexpected star was sent home from the 2024 series. The popular BBC show’s latest season began earlier this month and saw its first elimination on Sunday, September 29th. The identity of the couple who were sent home by the judges turned out to be a big upset among fans.
After the judges’ scores from weeks one and two were combined, former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri rose to the top of the leaderboard. The viewer vote put singer Toyah Willcox and Olympic swimmer Tom Dean in the dreaded dance-off. While Willcox’s presence in the dance-off wasn’t a shock as she was at the bottom of the leaderboard, Dean’s participation caught many off guard, especially since he finished ninth out of 15 contestants.
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Shirley Ballas decided to save Willcox and her partner Neil Jones, leading to Dean and his partner Nadiya Bychkova being eliminated. Former contestant Dan Walker, who finished fifth in a previous season, expressed his outrage on social media, describing the result as “messed up.” Many viewers echoed his sentiment, with some calling it “the biggest robbery in Strictly first boot history.”
In response to the unexpected exit, Dean stated that he had the “best time” on the show and expressed his desire to have gone further in the competition. He praised his partner Bychkova, calling her a true gentleman and highlighting the hard work they had put into their performances.
Next week, the remaining 14 couples will showcase their dance skills in a Movie Week special, where each pair will perform a routine inspired by a song from a famous film. Fans are looking forward to seeing how the competition unfolds as the contestants continue to impress the judges and vie for the coveted Strictly Come Dancing crown.