Paul Merson Believes He ‘Won’ Strictly Come Dancing Despite Elimination
Former professional footballer Paul Merson shared his thoughts on being eliminated from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing and reflected on his experience with his partner Karen Hauer, expressing why he feels like he actually “won” the show.
Merson, well-known for his time at Arsenal, became the fourth celebrity to leave the competition after finding himself in the dance-off alongside surprise opponent JB Gill from JLS. Initially perceived as a comedic addition to the cast, Merson impressed viewers by progressing through to week three with a stronger performance than anticipated.
Despite his energetic Samba routine to the tune of Rose Royce’s “Car Wash,” the judges were not swayed by Merson’s dance on the night when standout acts from Jamie Borthwick, Chris McCausland, and Montell Douglas dominated the stage.
Following his elimination, Merson expressed his gratitude for the experience, stating, “It’s been really good. For anybody I talk to, I would say you’ve got to go on this show. It’s amazing. There’s a Tottenham fan over there called Lincoln and even he’s nice! It’s been amazing – honestly amazing. I loved every minute of it.”
Acknowledging the final dance’s flaws, Merson remarked, “Could have done better in the last dance if I’m being honest,” before praising Hauer as an incredible coach and a “great teacher.”
Asserting his stance on feeling like a winner, Merson declared, “Because I can dance, I couldn’t dance before and I can half dance now so it’s a bonus.”
Hauer reciprocated the appreciation by expressing her pride in Merson’s progress and the joy he brought to their rehearsals, highlighting the improvement he showcased week after week.
While Merson bids farewell to the dance floor, Gill’s unexpected presence in the bottom two added a surprising twist, especially considering he and his partner Amy Dowden were early favourites to clinch the coveted Strictly crown.
As the competition continues with the remaining 11 couples gearing up for the Halloween episode on Saturday, Merson’s journey on Strictly Come Dancing has left a lasting impact, showcasing that with dedication and laughter, anything is possible on the dance floor.