20 November 2023 , 12:31
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Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Kai Widdrington gushed over the 'amazing' time he had with Angela Rippon as he broke his silence about their elimination.
Over the weekend, Angela and Kai and soap star Bobby Brazier and his partner Dianne Buswell were placed in the Bottom Two after failing to impress judges during the live show at Blackpool's Tower Ballroom. Dianne and the EastEnders actor were saved when judges voted to send Angela and Kai home instead.
Kai and Angela became fan favourites of the show over the weeks but their American Smooth to Tea For Two by Ella Fitzgerald wasn't enough to keep them safe. After leaving the BBC1 competition, Kai took to social media to thank everyone for their support as he shared snaps of him and Angela.
"What an amazing 10 weeks with the legend that is @theangelarippon," he captioned the post. "We promised we’d be “Rippon” up the dance floor and we did. Thank you to all the people that supported our journey and a huge thanks to Angela - you never complained once despite the injuries, the brutal training regime and the increasingly complex routines."
Kai and Angela were voted off the dance competition (Instagram/kaiwidd)
The duo quickly became fan favourites (BBC/Guy Levy)He added: "It was my pleasure and a privilege to dance with you, you taught us all that age really is just a number. We’ll see you all for the live shows in January and I promise, we might be out but we’ll still keep dancing." Fans were gutted by the duo's departure and took to the comment section to compliment them.
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"A true gentleman, loved watching you and Angelia. We need more young lads in the dancing world like you Kai," one user said while another posted: "Kai, you are a beautiful young man, the respect you have shown is so beautiful to watch, Angela was right you have and old soul in a young man’s body. You're amazing to watch."
One user commented: "Angela, I have the utmost respect for you. I have loved every dance that you have done, just a shame we never got to see your Salsa!! Best wishes for the future. Kai, as always, bringing out the absolute best in all your partners. Well well done."
Both couples danced beautifully, but the judges unanimously decided to save Bobby and Dianne, meaning Angela and Kai would be leaving the competition. Craig Revel Horwood said of his choice: "Well, there’s a standout performance for me that I can’t ignore and the couple that I would like to save are Bobby and Dianne" while Motsi Mabuse explained of her decision: "I felt that both couples danced so beautifully. Really one of the most beautiful dance-offs we have had. I am going to save Bobby and Dianne."
Elsewhere, Anton Du Beke said: "Well again, I thought it was a marvellous dance-off. Both couples danced very, very well. I thought Bobby and Dianne danced excellently again. I thought that Angela and Kai’s dance was beautiful and Angela even thanked one of the other dancers for lifting her and putting her down so gracefully which I thought was absolutely beautiful. For me the couple I would like to save are Bobby and Dianne" while Head Judge, Shirley Ballas, added: "I would also have saved Bobby and Dianne!"