Strictly Come Dancing result: Tom Dean and Toyah Willcox face first dance-off
First Celebrity Exits Strictly After Dance-Off
Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly took charge of the first results show of the year.
Up until this point, everything has been entertaining and lighthearted.
However, on Sunday evening, the Strictly Come Dancing competition kicked off in earnest, as two contestants found themselves in the first nerve-wracking dance-off to determine their future in the show, based on the public vote.
Tom Dean, a three-time Olympic champion, teamed up with his professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova to compete against pop singer Toyah Willcox and her dancing partner Neil Jones. Both couples showcased their routines once more before the judges announced their decisions.
If you prefer not to find out which celebrity was the first to exit Strictly Come Dancing 2024, now's the time to look away...
The famous participants taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing
Ultimately, it was 24-year-old Dean who left the dancefloor, as his cha cha performance to "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind and Fire couldn't quite match Willcox's jive to "Nutbush City Limits" by Ike and Tina Turner.
Anton Du Beke was the only judge to choose to save Dean, while the other three judges all opted to save Willcox, who is 66 years old.
After the verdict, Dean told host Tess Daly that he wished he could have "taken it further and performed more dance routines."
"I've really enjoyed the past few weeks, and collaborating with Nadiya has been amazing," he shared.
"I’ve had such a great time, and I really wish we could continue this for much longer. I’m sure we’ll still get together for plenty of brunches in the future!"
His partner Bychkova mentioned that Dean was "a real gentleman" and that he showed her "the importance of hard work and giving your all."
Tom Dean and his partner Nadiya Bychkova are the first couple to exit the competition.
On Saturday, all 15 pairs hit the dance floor.
Dean and Bychkova arrived wearing eye-catching, sequined outfits with fringes, but Bychkova experienced a fashion mishap that made her trip momentarily. Ultimately, the duo earned a combined score of 20.
Stand-up comic Chris McCausland, who is making history as the first visually impaired contestant on the show, danced a foxtrot alongside his partner Dianne Buswell to the tune of "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" by The Tams, and the performance was a hit with the audience.
Head judge Shirley Ballas applauded him with a standing ovation, praising him as "a model for every celebrity in the competition when it comes to footwork."
DIY SOS host Nick Knowles delivered an "incredible" performance, according to Ballas, even though he only had 16 hours to practice after suffering an injury earlier this week.
Tasha Ghouri, a contestant from Love Island, showcased her skills by dancing a Viennese waltz.
However, it was Tasha Ghouri from Love Island who came out on top of the rankings.
She and her dance partner, Aljaž Škorjanec, earned the first scores of nine in the current season for their Viennese waltz to the song "Misty Blue" by Dorothy Moore.
Later, host Claudia Winkleman noted that Ghouri's father was emotional in the audience, weeping as he watched her on stage.
Some of the standout moments featured JB Gill from JLS and his partner Amy Dowden performing a cha cha that earned them a score of 27. Another notable performance was opera singer Wynne Evans and his partner Katya Jones, who danced a Viennese waltz.
Willcox and Jones have stayed at the bottom of the leaderboard for the second consecutive week.
Over six million viewers watched the live show on BBC One on Saturday night.
The famous individuals leading the rankings...
...as well as the famous individuals featured at the end.
This year's season has been marked by a tumultuous few months for Strictly, as several past contestants have come forward with claims regarding their experiences on the program.
The BBC has started an inquiry following allegations made by actress Amanda Abbington, who accused her ex-dance partner Giovanni Pernice of abusive behavior. Pernice has refuted these claims.
Last week, Tim Davie, the director general of the BBC, declined to specify when the report would be released but emphasized, "We're nearing the completion of that work."
The BBC has taken action in response to the feedback by implementing modifications internally. Starting this year, there will be chaperones present in every rehearsal space, along with the addition of two new welfare producers focused solely on well-being.
It has consistently emphasized its commitment to addressing any concerns seriously and taking action when informed about inappropriate behavior.
