STRICTLY Come Dancing's Zara McDermott and radio host Nikita Kanda were in the dance off, where they fought it out to avoid elimination from the show.
Love Island star Zara and DJ Nikita danced for survival in front of the watchful eyes Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel-Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
But ultimately the judges decided to SAVE Zara from elimination – meaning Nikita is now the second celebrity to leave the competition.
After the decision was made, pro-partner Gorka Marquez told a tearful Nikita: “I’m beyond proud. For someone who doesn’t have dance experience, to come dance in front of millions people — incredible. You should be very proud of yourself. I’m very proud of you. I’ve never laughed so much as I have in the last three weeks with you.”
It comes after head judge Shirley, 63, was clearly bowled over by Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer's Couple’s Choice performance on Saturday night after the pair chose Will Smith’s Men In Black from the 1997 sci-fi action – and sporting matching tuxedos.
Read our Strictly Come Dancing blog below for the latest news and updates…
- By Olivia Allhusen
Strictly star Zara Mcdermott's boyfriend recently stunned fans when he called her a 'terrible dancer'
Former Made in Chelsea cast member Sam Thompson said Zara's inability to dance makes her the "perfect" participant on the show as "you want the journey" and not a performer who is "already made".
Zara – who rose to fame after her appearance on reality TV show Love Island – is paired up with Italian heartthrob Graziano Di Prima.
The pair's strictly journey has not all been smooth sailing so far as they ended up having to fight for survival in last shows dance off.
- By Olivia Allhusen
Strictly’s Neil Jones wades into Shirley Ballas row after she’s accused of undermarking female contestants
The head judge, 63, came under fire last week for giving the female stars low scores, and fans have once again accused of her being "sexist."
Pro dancer Neil Jones, 41, has defended Shirley and said: "Shirley is a professional. I’ve known her for years and she’s so sweet."
Click the link below to read our exclusive from Lottie Hulme.
SHIRLEY NOT Strictly’s Neil wades into Shirley Ballas row as she’s accused of undermarking
- By Olivia Allhusen
EastEnder's actor, Bobby Brazier has shared his plans to pay an emotional tribute to late mum Jade Goody on the dance floor
The EastEnders actor said he hopes to dedicate a dance to Big Brother legend Jade and has already picked a song.
The strictly star told the Mirror: "there is a song that is so perfect. I would love to do it."
Bobby's mum, Jade, died of cervical cancer in 2009.
After their mum's death Bobby and his brother Freddie went to live with their dad Jeff Brazier who has been seen supporting the star each week from the audience.
Jeff was spotted in tears as he watched his son make his strictly debut performing a Foxtrot with his partner Dianne Buswell to the McFly track All About You.
MUM'S BOY Bobby Brazier to pay emotional tribute to late mum Jade Goody on Strictly
- By Olivia Allhusen
Who is Bobby Brazier and how did he rise to fame?
Bobby Brazier has been delighting strictly fans since week one when he performed a Foxtrot to “All About You” by McFly but who is he? and how did he reach our TV screens?
The strictly star is just 20 years old, and is the son of the late reality TV star Jade Goody.
Bobby grew up in Harlow, Essex and made his debut in front of the camera on the runway aged just 16, when he modelled for Dolce & Gabbana's Milan Fashion Week show.
Following this he appeared in several more modelling shows before deciding to follow in his mum's footsteps and embark upon a life in the limelight.
The youngster landed a role in EastEnders in 2022 despite having no acting experience and has since been nominated for the National Television Rising Star award.
Bobby was selected by strictly producers to appear on the show andsaid he "begged" his boss to let him take time out from filming to do the show and that participating was a "no brainer".
- By Olivia Allhusen
Strictly star Nikita Kuzmin has been secretly dating stunning model girlfriend for months
The professional dancer, 25, was spotted sharing an intimate moment with model Lauren Jaine after she watched him Jive to "Kids in America" on Saturday night's live show.
Nikita looked lost in the moment as he gently placed his hand around her neck in the dark street after they had enjoyed a few glasses of wine together.
A source told The Sun: "Nikita and Lauren have been dating for months and seem to have an amazing connection.
"The pair have tried to keep their romance under the radar but they have been attending events together and are really enjoying each other's company."
Click the link below to read our exclusive from Shan Ally.
NEW LOVE Strictly's Nikita Kuzmin has been secretly dating stunning model for MONTHS
- By Olivia Allhusen
Strictly fans were left irritated after they spotted a major blunder during Madison Beer's performance on the results show
The American hit-maker sang a song from her new album called "Showed Me (How I fell In Love With You)" in the intermission between judges revealing scores for Saturday night's dances.
However BBC viewers were less than impressed as they complained about the sound quality and one person hit out at the show's equipment.
They said: "Is it beyond the budget of this show to give the guest singer a microphone that works? It was like this last week? What's wrong with the sound system in this studio. Really!"
SONG AND DANCE Strictly fans spot blunder during Madison Beer's performance on results show
- By Olivia Allhusen
Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed she's eaten the same food backstage for years
Shirley, 63, said although she would enjoy tucking into the "yummy cakes and sweets and biscuits" laid on for the Strictly 2023 line-up, she walks around the table and just admires them instead.
She confirmed her longstanding eating routine to the Sun and revealed she eats “Just lemon chicken. And then I cut it, but it's hot and it's just been baked.
"And that's what I have on Strictly and I've had that every year, every week for six years."
strict staple Strictly's Shirley Ballas says she's eaten same meal backstage for SIX years
- By Olivia Allhusen
Strictly fans fume at 'patronising' Tess Daly as second celebrity is voted off
BBC Radio DJ Nikita Kanda departed the competition following a dance-off against Love Island star Zara McDermott, who had finished third from the leaderboard's bottom this week.
Nikita was gutted to leave the show and was worried she had disappointed her partner Gorka Márquez.
After the judges made their decision, she said: “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."
furious fans Strictly fans rage at 'patronising' Tess Daly as second celebrity is voted off
- By Henry Moore
How much does Shirley Ballas get paid for Strictly?
Head judge Shirley began on £180k when she joined the show in 2017.
Since then she has negotiated a pay rise, bringing her Strictly salary up to £500,000 per series.
The star has an additional salary from other projects, with her income also coming from teaching at a dance school in Streatham, South London, and she earns money from panto.
- By Henry Moore
Strictly needs a 'range of different performers' to work
A former Strictly pro has dismissed claims the show is unfair after some fans criticised producers for allowing trained performer Layton Williams into the cast.
Brendan Cole said: "You have got contestants in there that if you look at Layton Williams for example, he's a phenomenal performer in his own right without Strictly so what he can do is incredible.
"Then you've got the people that you don't necessarily expect to be amazing and they're really coming through, and then you've got the ones that are slightly less able.
"I think Strictly needs the range of people to make it work."
- By Henry Moore
Former Strictly pro slams judges, branding recent scoring an 'injustice'
A former Strictly pro is not pleased with how the judges have been scoring this series.
Brendan Cole voiced his opinion on the critiques judges have been dishing out in the dance competition this year, calling them "off the chart wrong".
At the Pride of Britain Awards the pro ballroom dancer went as far as to say he feels like he's been watching a completely different show than the judges.
The 47-year-old told the Mirror: "I think they are off the chart wrong. The way the judges are performing at the moment, I think I'm watching two different shows."
OUT OF STEP Former Strictly pro slams judges' 'wrong' scoring saying it's an 'injustice'
- By Henry Moore
Jody avoids dance-off in tense results show
Paralympian Jody Cundy, who finished bottom of the leaderboard with 20 points, avoided the dance-off last night.
He received enough votes from the public to move him above Nikita Kanda and Zara McDermott.
BBC Radio DJ Nikita Kanda became the second celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing last night.
- By Henry Moore
When does Strictly return?
Strictly is back this Saturday, but not at its usual time.
As fans of the competition will know, Strictly usually commences at 6.20pm on Saturday.
But this week’s show will kick off on BBC One at 6.30pm.
- By Henry Moore
Strictly hit by fresh 'curse' as fans notice patter with Gorka
Eagle-eyed fans have noticed a worrying pattern with pro-dancer Gorka's partners.
Gorka, 33, has won a legion of fans since he first joined the BBC show in 2016, but were left gutted this evening when he was voted off in week three with his current celebrity partner, Nikita Kanda.
It isn't the first time Gorka has left the competition early on, with his first ever celebrity partner, Tameka Empson finishing in 14th place too.
In fact, his latest exit from the competition prompted a number of Strictly super fans to point out a strange pattern with Gorka's partners and where they finish in the series.
second look Strictly hit by new 'curse' after fans notice odd pattern with Gorka's partners
- By Henry Moore
Gorka hails Nikita after dumping
Following their dumping, Gorka hailed Nikita's effort during the show
Gorka Marquez said: “I’m beyond proud. For someone who doesn’t have dance experience, to come dance in front of millions people — incredible. You should be very proud of yourself. I’m very proud of you!”
He added: “I’ve never laughed so much as I have in the last three weeks with you.”
- By Henry Moore
Who is left in the competition?
Another elimination means our cast just got a little bit smaller – the following stars remain in the competition:
- Amanda Abbington
- Bobby Brazier
- Krishnan Guru-Murthy
- Ellie Leach
- Layton Williams
- Annabel Croft
- Nigel Harman
- Zara McDermott
- Angela Rippon
- Angela Scanlon
- Eddie Kadi
- Jody Cundy
- Adam Thomas
Does Zara McDermott have any children?
As of 2023, Zara doesn’t have any children.
However, her boyfriend Sam has previously talked about his desire to have kids with her in the future.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: “A big thing for me was kids.
“I do want kids and I want to know I can look after a child. I want to know I’m the provider and I’m the carer and that I can be the security that child needs to grow up.”
Strictly airs slightly later on Saturday
At the end of last night’s dance-off show, Claudia Winkleman confirmed that Strictly Come Dancing will air slightly later than usual in the coming week.
As fans of the competition will know, Strictly usually commences at 6.20pm on Saturday.
But this week's show will kick off on BBC One at 6.30pm.
Strictly fans take to social media to rave about Barbie opening dance
Fans have been raving about the opening dance by the Strictly professionals on this Sunday’s elimination show.
One posted: “That Barbie opening number for #Strictly was top drawer!!!”
Another wrote: “That was one of the best pro dances on strictly ever. Amazing. Had a massive smile on my face all the way through”
A third said: “The #Barbie dance was excellent. So many great references to the movie. Well done #Strictly.”
While a fourth added: “Honestly thought Gorka was Ryan Gosling for a second”
Fans ‘feel for’ Nikita and applaud her ‘guts’
Following last night's results show, fans took to social media to share their condolences after Nikita Kanda left this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
One wrote: “I really feel for Nikita, she was really working on building that confidence and technique and I feel like a slower dance would’ve served her better this week. It would’ve been nice to have seen more of her!”
Another posted: “I don’t think @gorkamarquez1 and @NikitaKanda deserved that at all”
While a third said: “We are proud of you @NikitaKanda you did so well! Imagine never doing this before & going out there giving it your all! That takes Guts!”
Nikita and Gorka’s last dance
Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez have been voted off Strictly Come Dancing by the judges.
They finished last night's show dancing to the Dirty Dancing classic (I’ve had) The time of My Life…
Let’s hope they did!
- By Jimmy Grant
Lowest scoring Strictly celeb avoids dance off
Paralympian Jody Cundy, who finished bottom of the leaderboard with 20 points, avoided the dance-off last night.
He received enough votes from the public to move him above Nikita Kanda and Zara McDermott.
BBC Radio DJ Nikita Kanda became the second celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing last night.
Credit: PA - By Jimmy Grant
Neil Jones ‘can’t stop smiling’ after girlfriend Chyna gives birth
Neil Jones revealed he "can't stop smiling" following returning to work just days after his girlfriend gave birth.
Strictly pro Neil and former Love Island contestant Chyna Mills welcomed their first baby together last week.
FIRST TIME DAD Neil Jones 'can't stop smiling' as he returns to Strictly after becoming dad
- By Jimmy Grant
Strictly fans respond to Amy appearing on show without wig
As she continues her battle against cancer and undergoes chemotherapy, Amy Dowden make a brief appearance on Saturday’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing to give fans a health update — many of whom took to social media to voice their support.
One wrote: “Amy I’m bald and proud for the same reasons as you at the moment but you brought tears to my eyes as I fully understand the courage it took for you to do that – you looked amazing and beautiful.”
A second said: “Amy Dowden choosing not to wear a wig on Strictly tonight has just shown every little girl going through chemo that bald is beautiful. What a role model,”
A third penned: “You are such an incredible inspiration & role model to so many [eyes welling up emoji] you looked beautiful!! it was so lovely seeing you back at strictly last night [heart emojis].”
- By Jimmy Grant
Who got the highest score on Strictly last night?
Week three of Strictly Come Dancing was a big one, with the celebs notching up some seriously high scores on the board, but who got the highest?
Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu earned the top scores on Saturday evening, with 35, but it was Eddie Kadi who took the headlines, earning the first 10 of this year’s show.
- Angela and Carlos – 35
- Eddie and Karen – 34
- Ellie and Vito – 33
- Bobby and Diane – 32
- Amanda and Giovanni – 30
- Annabel and Johannes – 30
- Krishnan and Lauren – 30
- Layton and Nikita – 28
- Angela and Kai – 26
- Adam and Luba – 26
- Nigel and Katya – 25
- Zara and Graziano – 25
- Nikita and Gorka – 21
- Jody and Jowita – 20
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