Strictly Come Dancing's Les Dennis booted from show and 'understands' reason

01 October 2023 , 18:58

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It was a unanimous decision to send Les home (Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Les Dennis has become the first celebrity to be sent home.

This week, viewers tuned in for the second live show which saw the celebrities battle to keep their place in the BBC dancing competition. However, as the show progresses, each week a celebrity will be evicted in the lead-up to the grand finale, where one couple will lift the prestigious Glitterball Trophy.

But as the viewers at home voted in their thousands to save their favourite couple, two found themself in the dance-off. This week, Actor Les Dennis went up against radio broadcaster Nikita Kanada.

The two couples performed their routine once again, with Nikita and Gorka Márquez dancing the Charleston to Beyoncé's Single Ladies, just before Les and Nancy Xu danced the Samba to Rock The Boat by Hues Corporation. But after both couples fought to keep their place, the judges were left to make the nail-biting decision.

Les Dennis has become the first celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing (BBC/Guy Levy)

It was a unanimous decision as all four judges chose to same Nikita and Gorka, meaning Les and Nancy were leaving. Revealing who he was saving, Craig Revel Horwood said: "The couple I would like to save and who I think danced the best on the night and was the most improved is Nikita and Gorka." While Motsi Mabuse added: "Both couples danced better in the dance-off. One couple was extremely better in the dance-off. I will save Nikita and Gorka." However, it was Anton Du Beke who had the final say, commenting: "I thought it was a competition of two couples on performance alone and who could really nail their performance. I think the couple who did the best job were Nikita and Gorka."

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But head judge, Shirley Ballas confirmed she would have also sent Les and Nancy home. Reflecting on his exit, Les told host Tes Daly: "I've had the best time, this lady has been amazing, a great teacher, she's really put me through my paces," he commented about Nancy before saying to her: "I did as well as I could for you, I hope! That lot up there, I'm going to miss you so much."

Should Les Dennis and Nancy Xu have been voted off? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

However, the former Family Fortunes host added: "I really appreciate and understand the judge's point of view." Addressing Wallasey-born Shirley, he said: "Thank you so much for giving me a 10 for entertainment. I hope I've entertained, that's what I came here for. Strictly is the best and the people who put this on, you're just all amazing!"

Ahead of their exit, Tess asked Nancy how it had been working with Les as she hinted it hadn't been as plain sailing as she may have liked. She told the host: "It's been a journey. This is such a short but a sweet journey." Addressing Les, she added: "A lot of challenges we all know, but to see you every day improve yourself, I respect you so, so much. I just want to say thank you to the judges and all my fellow friends. Thank you Strictly Come Dancing for all of your support. Thank you, Les."

Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday, October 7 at 6.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Daniel Bird