Strictly Come Dancing’s Tom Dean bids adieu to the dance floor after finding himself in the bottom two, marking an emotional exit from the competition. Despite garnering a respectable score of 23 in the second week, the Olympic swimmer faced off against actress Toyah Wilcox and her partner Neil Jones in a tense dance-off. Viewers watched as Tom and his professional partner Nadiya Bychkova gave it their all with a Cha Cha to ‘Boogie Wonderland’ by Earth, Wind & Fire, while Toyah and Neil showcased their Jive to ‘Nutbush City Limits’ by Ike and Tina Turner.
The judges were split in their decision, with Anton Du Beke advocating for Tom and Nadiya to stay in the competition. However, judges Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood ultimately chose to save Toyah and Neil, leaving the final decision in the hands of head judge Shirley Ballas. Shirley sided with Motsi and Craig, resulting in Tom’s elimination from Strictly Come Dancing.
Reflecting on his journey on the show, Tom expressed gratitude for the experience, stating, “I’ve had the best time the last few weeks, and getting to work with Nadiya has been incredible. I wish I could have gone further and done more dances. I’ve had the most fun, and I wish we could keep going longer and longer. We’ll still go out for loads of brunches, I’m sure.”
Nadiya also had nothing but praise for her partner, commending him for his work ethic and character. She shared, “To get to know him, he’s not just a three-time Olympic champion, he’s a ‘true’ gentleman and he taught me how to work really hard and put everything in. Sometimes to win on this program, you don’t need to win, and that’s how I feel this year.”
With Tom’s departure, the remaining 14 stars gear up for a Movie Week Special, keeping the competition fierce and exciting. Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec currently lead the charge with a combined score of 65, followed closely by Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola with 62 points. Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones lag behind with a combined total of 30.
All eyes are on Chris McCausland, who has emerged as the frontrunner to clinch the title, boasting impressive odds of 11/44. Tasha Ghouri follows closely at 3/1, making the competition intense and unpredictable. Ladbrokes’ Nicola McGeady noted, “Chris McCausland has burst out of the traps as the one to beat, something that has taken us by surprise given he was 20/1 before the opening night.”
As the excitement builds for the upcoming episodes of Strictly Come Dancing, fans eagerly anticipate the performances and results that will shape the rest of the competition. With each week bringing new challenges and surprises, the journey to the coveted title continues to captivate audiences and participants alike.
