Strictly Come Dancing axes second couple after surprising bottom two dance-off

08 October 2023 , 18:55

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Strictly Come Dancing axes second couple after surprising bottom two dance-off

Nikita Kanda has become the second celebrity to depart the dancefloor in this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The BBC radio DJ found herself in the bottom two once again this evening, just one week on from judges opting to save her following a dance-off over TV presenter Les Dennis. Following 14 couples performing their Movie Week routines last night, Nikita and her professional dance partner Gorka Márquez found themselves in the dreaded dance-off once again.

Gorka and Nikita joined Love Island star Zara McDermott and her partner Graziano Di Prima in having to dance for the judges once again during this evening's pre-recorded results show, after failing to win over the voting public with their original performances.

Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez dancing for the final time on Strictly Come Dancing (PA)

Zara and Graziano were first up with their bid to impress Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge, Shirley Ballas and save themselves - giving their all with their Pasodoble to The Puss Suite from Puss In Boots. Nikita and Gorka followed, dancing their Jive to Kids in America from Clueless for a second time.

After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig opting to save Zara and Graziano. "The couple I’d like to save had both technique and theatricality, and that couple is Zara & Graziano," the judge declared when announcing his decision.

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Motsi agreed with Craig and also saved Zara and Graziano, adding: "I thought both couples gave it their best, but one couple made a few mistakes that were quite visible, so that’s why I’m saving Zara and Graziano." Anton became the third judge to deliver his verdict and seal Nikita and Gorka's fate - telling the stars: "I did think both couples danced better in the dance off, unfortunately there were a couple of small mistakes from one of the couples, so the couple I would like to save is Zara and Graziano."

With three votes in favour of Zara and Graziano, they won the majority vote meaning that Nikita and Gorka would be leaving the competition. Head Judge Shirley Ballas also agreed and said she would have decided to save Zara and Graziano.

When asked by host Tess Daly about her time on the show, Nikita confessed: "I don’t want to leave yet, I feel like I’ve let him down. I’ve had the best time and I love all my Strictly family, I’m going to miss you all. This has been a dream come true, I’m so grateful. I’ve got to say the biggest thankyou to Gorka, he has been the biggest support and I’ve had the best time ever."

Gorka reassured his celebrity dance partner, saying: "I am beyond proud of her, for someone that doesn’t have any dance experience or performance experience to come on this show and dance in front of millions of people – for three weeks, I think it’s incredible. You should be very proud of yourself, you have never let me down and I am very proud of you. This show is going to teach you so many things about yourself that you can take with you and I take incredible memories. I’ve never laughed so much in three weeks than I did with you!"

The remaining thirteen couples will take to the dancefloor next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 14 th October at 6:30pm with the results show on Sunday 15th October at 7:15pm on BBC One.

Zoe Delaney