Strictly's Nikita breaks down in tears as he says sad goodbye to co-star

16 December 2023 , 22:04

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Strictly's Nikita breaks down in tears as he says sad goodbye to co-star

Strictly Come Dancing 2023's live final certainly brought the tears on Saturday night.

Things got emotional as the celebrities and their professional dance partners performed together for the final time. All of them burst into tears at one point, if not numerous times, as they realised this would be the last time they'd take to the dancefloor together.

Layton Williams, EastEnders star Bobby Brazier, and Coronation Street star Ellie Leach battled it out for the Glitterball Trophy alongside their pro dance partners. Layton and his pro dance partner Nikita Kuzmin, Ellie and her pro Vito Coppola and Bobby and his pro Dianne Buswell performed their final routines of the series, hoping to impress the judges and the viewers watching at home.

One pro in particular was overcome with emotion, as he said a sad goodbye to his new friend. It suddenly dawned on him that it was the last episode of the series, and the last time he and his celebrity partner would be taking to the floor.

Nikita was already tearful after his final ever dance on the current series with Layton, but when host Claudia Winkleman and the judges reminded the pair that it was the last dance, Nikita couldn't hold back the tears.

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Strictly Come Dancing 2023's live final certainly brought the tears (BBC)

Choking up, he admitted it had only just hit him what it meant as he said an emotional goodbye to Layton on air. Both stars began sobbing as they hugged each other, and discussed their bond and their time on the show.

As the judges talked of bigger things to come for Layton, Nikita said to Claudia before choking up: "It's just that she's saying goodbye and I looked him in the eyes, and I realised it's the end." On their final performance, Layton added: "It felt special to close the show with it, our last dance."

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In the end, Nikita and Layton lost out to Ellie and Vito who won the series and the Glitterball Trophy. Ellie was lost for words as her name was shouted out, while Vito sobbed as he praised his co-star.

Ellie's victory saw her become the youngest winner of the series since it began making show history. The usual celebrations were in full swing, as Ellie and Vito lifted the trophy high before being hugged by their co-stars.

Strictly Come Dancing 2023's live final will air from 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , and .

Charlotte Tutton