Dance Ditch
Strictly pro Nadiya will QUIT show predict fans after she’s left furious over Tom Dean’s shock elimination
Nadiya expressed her upset following last night's show, which saw her sent home alongside Olympic swimmer Tom, 24.
STRICTLY fans think Nadiya Bychkova is set to quit the show after being left furious over Tom Dean's shock elimination.
Nadiya, 35, expressed her upset following last night's show, which saw her sent home alongside Olympic swimmer Tom, 24.
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They got the boot after head judge Shirley Ballas opted to save Toyah Willcox instead – sparking outrage among fans.
But, while they're devastated at the news, fans are also convinced Ukranian dancer Nadiya won't return next year.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one wrote: "I predict Nadiya will not come back next year #Strictly."
Someone else agreed: "Feel like this could be nadiyas last series hope im wrong tho #strictly."
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A third added: "@nadiyabychkova I’m so gutted you both I really like you so much hopefully will come back next year 2025 fingers crossed hopefully that not going to happen again for you both thank you take part .
Breaking her silence, Nadiya wrote: “I really appreciate all the messages but I’m not ready to talk about what happened tonight just yet.”
Her former partner on the show Dan Walker was also furious at the decision and shared his own post.
He wrote: “What just happened on Strictly feels a bit messed up.
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“@tomdean00’s departure will go down as one of THE early shocks. Lovely bloke who really could have become a great dancer. He looked like he was loving every second of it and @nadiyabychkova looked like she loved teaching him.
“I’m not an expert - and I’m happy for someone to explain - but how he lost that dance off is completely beyond my comprehension. Genuinely thought they could have gone a long way.”
‘You’ve well and truly wrecked him’ Strictly fans blast professional dancer ahead of second live show
Tom shared both posts, before commenting on the journey himself.
Former It Takes Two presenter Zoe Ball seemed to be on the same page and told Nadiya: “Love you Lady. gutted for you and Tom.”
While Gorka Marquez told Tom: “Gutted for you man but should be product.”
Katya Jones commented: “So gutted for you and Nadiya.”
Following the public vote, the gold-medallist swimmer faced singer and actress Toyah, 66, in the dance-off.
Donning sparkly and fringed outfits, Tom performed his energetic cha cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire once again.
He kicked off the live show on Saturday with the routine, receiving a score of 20 from the judges and bringing his total to 43 after picking up 23 points last week for his tango to Harry Styles's song Golden.
Meanwhile, Toyah and professional partner Neil Jones reprised their lively jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner.
They picked up 18 points for their effort but they still remained at the bottom of the leaderboard with a total of 30 after they placed at the bottom last week with a score of 12.
After both couples danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both choosing to save Toyah while Anton Du Beke opted to save Tom.
Head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and chose to save Toyah.
Those watching at home rushed to brand the situation a fix.
“Absolute fix. They obviously have some deal to give Neil more air time this year. Poor Tom. Not on at all," wrote one fan.
"Tom has been robbed!! Toyah was by far the worse dancer!!! Absolute Fix" said a second.
A furious third wrote: "No…wrong wrong wrong…..getting fed up with this show now,think the judges must be being told who to save, Tom should have stayed over Torah 100%"
"WHAT? Toyah went through to next week over Tom?" raged a fourth. "That's wrong, Toyah was one of the lowest scoring competitors,along with paul merson.
"Judges call themselves experts, they must either been blindfolded/paid off or told by bbc to put Toyah through."
Strictly Come Dancing’s Second Week Scores
As is tradition, the first week scores are rolled over and combined into the second week. Here’s how the leaderboard now looks after the combined scores
- Tasha and Aljaz = 65 (30+35)
- Sarah and Vito = 62 (30+32)
- JB and Amy = 58 (31+27)
- Montell and Johannes = 56 (26+30)
- Wynne and Katya = 56 (26+30)
- Shayne and Nancy = 52 (21+31)
- Chris and Dianne = 52 (23+29)
- Jamie and Michelle = 50 (23+27)
- Sam and Nikita = 45 (23+22)
- Tom and Nadiya = 43 (23+20)
- Nick and Luba = 39 (18+21)
- Pete and Jowita = 39 (17+22)
- Dr Punam and Gorka = 37 (19+18)
- Paul and Karen = 32 (17+15)
- Toyah and Neil = 30 (12+18)
Adding to the fury, Nadiya wasn't partnered with anyone for last year's series.
At the time, Dan led the backlash - comparing it to leaving football great Lionel Messi on the bench for a World Cup final.
He wrote on X: “Strictly is such an amazing show and it’s almost time for the new series, what a great line-up this year.
“All the pros are great but gutted to hear that @nadiyabychkova hasn’t got a partner.
“I’m sure she’s still looking forward to being part of the biggest show on TV.
“But it feels like putting Messi on the bench for the World Cup final!”
Nadiya was thought to be a shoo-in to be paired with a celeb, as she has since she joined six years ago.
It was a particular surprise given the BBC used her so predominantly in the publicity to drum up interest ahead of the start of the 21st series.
She still took part in group dances but fans were bewildered by her being denied a starring role with a partner — a sentiment said to be shared by Nadiya.
An insider said: “She’s terribly upset and so confused as her star wasn’t just rising, it was soaring.
“If she has done anything wrong, she has no idea what it is as she’s always dedicated herself to Strictly.
“Of course, she understands that among the dance troupe there are always more dancers than there are pairings.
“So it’s a little bit like rotating players in a football team.
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“But many viewers will be wondering why someone who’s widely regarded as a striker ends up sitting on the subs’ bench when they have so much to offer the squad.”
Nadiya, who recently split with fellow pro Kai Widdrington, has built up a strong following since she first appeared in the cast.
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