First Celebrity To Leave Strictly Come Dancing 2024 After Dancing

Olympic champion Tom Dean has become the first celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2024. After a public vote, the 24-year-old gold medalist faced off in a dance-off with 66-year-old singer and actress Toyah Willcox.

Dressed in glitter and fringe costumes, Dean danced an energetic cha-chu with his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova to Earth, Wind & Fire's "Boogie Wonderland." On Saturday, he opened the live stream with the number, for which he received 20 points from the judges, bringing his total to 43 points, after receiving 23 points last week for his tango to Harry Styles' "Golden".

On the other side, Willcox and her pro partner Neil Jones reprized their lively jive on Ike & Tina Turner's "Nutbush City Limits." Despite picking up 18 points, they remain at the bottom of the table with a total score of 30, after last week's 12-point finish.

After the second dance of both couples, the jury gave their verdicts. Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse opted to save Willcox and Jones, while Anton Du Beke opted for Dean and Bychkov. Head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and chose Willcox and Jones.

Reflecting on his time in the competition, Dean said: "I had the best time in weeks and working with Nadiya was incredible. I wish I could go on and dance more." His dance partner Bychkova added that Dean is not only a three-time Olympic champion, but also a "true gentleman".

"He taught me how to work hard and how to give it my all," she added. "And you know what? In this competition, sometimes you don't need to win to win, and that's how I feel this year."

The first results show of the series also featured performances by professional dancers and judges who performed an "avant-garde gothic tango" to the songs "When Doves Cry" by Prince and "Blue Monday" by New Order. Jazz group Ezra Collective also performed "God Gave Me Feet For Dancing" with Yazmin Lacey.

The remaining 14 couples will return to the dance floor next Saturday for a special film week on October 5 at 6.25pm, with the results show on Sunday October 6 at 7.15pm on BBC One.

Resources

• First celebrity waltzes off Strictly Come dancing 2024 after Dancing-off, Ealing Times.
• The Standard, Evening Standard.
• First celebrity waltzes off Strictly Come Dancing 2024 after dance-off - Jersey Evening Post, Jersey Evening Post.
• First celebrity waltzes off Strictly Come Dancing 2024 after dance-off, Border Counties Advertizer.
• First celebrity waltzes off Strictly Come Dancing 2024 after dance-off – The Irish News, The Irish News.