Strictly Come Dancing's Nancy admits 'challenges' working with Les Dennis

01 October 2023 , 19:05

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Les and Nancy became the first couple to be sent home (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)

Nancy Xu has teased there were several "challenges" behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing.

The professional had been partnered with presenter Les Dennis before they were sent packing from the programme during the first eviction. Both Les and Nancy had been locked in tense rehearsals with one another for weeks prior to the first live show last weekend.

However as the weeks went by, the couple found themselves facing the pressures of the competition as each couple battled it to survive. During the first results show this week, all four judges made the decision to send Les and Nancy home, with Nikita Kanada and Gorka Márquez sailing through to week three.

Nancy Xu has hinted at behind-the-scenes challenges before she and Les Dennis were sent home (BBC/Guy Levy)

But speaking to host Tess Daly shortly after it emerged that she and Les were going home, Nancy hinted that it hadn't all been plain sailing for them. Addressing her time on the show, she said: "It's been a journey. This is such a short but a sweet journey." Speaking to her former dancing partner, Nancy 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."

Reflecting on his exit, Les told 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."

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However, the former Family Fortunes host added: "I really appreciate and understand the judge's point of view." Addressing head judge Shirley Ballas, 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!"

Prior to this week's live show, Nancy opened up to ITV's Lorraine Kelly about Les' progress with him having admitted that he had some "comedy dancing" experience from his years in theatre. She told the presenter: "He's doing great. We had a lovely day in rehearsal, he made a huge step forward. I was so surprised I had a smile."

This week, Les and Nancy scored 22 out of 40 on the leaderboard before being placed into the dance-off.

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

Daniel Bird