Strictly Come Dancing spoilers follow.
Strictly Come Dancing has announced the third elimination of the 2024 series.
This weekend saw the remaining couples treat us to an array of dazzling routines. But while one partnership received a whopping 39 points for their Coachella-inspired Charleston, it was time to say goodbye to another pairing.
After the judges’ scores were combined with viewer votes, DIY SOS star Nick Knowles and his partner Luba Mushtuk found themselves in the dance-off against former Coronation Street actor Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu.
Shayne and Nancy took to the floor first to perform their Cha Cha to ‘Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use)’ by Sub Sub feat. Melanie Williams. Nick and Luba then fought to impress the judges with their Charleston to ‘Rain on the Roof’ from Paddington 2.
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All four judges unanimously voted to save Shayne and Nancy, meaning Nick and Luba became the third couple to leave the competition.
Speaking to Tess Daly about his elimination, Nick shared how “surprised” he feels to have fallen in love with dancing.
“I’ve really, really been surprised by how much I’ve loved doing it and by two things that happen. One is how much you care each week, and the other is how much you don’t want to let down your partner,” he said.
Nick also paid tribute to professional partner Luba and the Strictly team for looking after him during his recent injuries.
He sustained a “painful” arm injury in week two, before missing last week’s live show after injuring his knee during training.
“The only reason I could do this is simply because of Luba’s changes [to the dance], she’s been amazing… so fabulous every day,” Nick continued.
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“And I should say thank you also to all the background staff, the physios, all the people that have actually got me through this week, and to all my fellow competitors who have been absolutely astounding, beautiful people. There are some amazing dancers up there, and I will love watching the rest of the series.”
Meanwhile, Luba gushed over her partner, revealing that she has admired his determination to keep going, despite the setbacks.
“I’ve never met someone as determined as you, and I remember you saying that if you do your best, you’ll be very happy. I think you did more than your best. Thank you,” she said.
The results episode also featured a stunning professional routine to Taylor Swift’s 1989 hit ‘Wildest Dreams’, choreographed by Mandy Moore and starring Nikita Kuzmin and Karen Hauer in leading roles.
Fan-favourite rock band Snow Patrol also took to the ballroom to perform their new single ‘Everything’s Here and Nothing’s Lost’.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Sara is an entertainment journalist who specialises in TV and film. After studying journalism at the University of Roehampton, Sara joined Digital Spy in 2023, writing news (and the occasional feature) on all things entertainment. She has also written for the culture desk at The Evening Standard. A lover of all things TV and film, Sara can wax lyrical about everything from Bridgerton to The Witcher. She can also recite entire episodes of New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation. In her spare time, Sara loves to knit, crochet and cross-stitch. Also a musical theatre aficionado, Sara counts Samantha Barks as one of her heroes and is a loyal fan of Jodie Comer.