November 3rd 2024.
It's that time of the week again on Strictly Come Dancing, where we bid farewell to yet another pair. This week, it was the turn of former Olympic hockey player Sam Quek and her professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin to hang up their dancing shoes.
Despite receiving a respectable score of 29 for their Icons Week American smooth to Taylor Swift's Love Story, it just wasn't enough to keep them in the competition. They join the likes of Dr Punam Krishan and DIY SOS star Nick Knowles in this season's elimination list.
Surprisingly, reality TV star Pete Wicks and his partner Jowita Przystal, who scored only 22 for their performance to Another One Bites The Dust by Queen, managed to escape the bottom two. Instead, it was Sam and Nikita who found themselves in the dreaded dance-off against former Olympian and Gladiator Montell Douglas and her partner Johannes Radebe, who wowed the judges with their waltz to I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston.
In the end, all four judges unanimously decided to save Montell and Johannes, sending Sam and Nikita home. Despite her disappointment, Sam remained gracious, thanking her partner Nikita for helping her find her confidence and joy on the dancefloor.
Reflecting on her time on the show, Sam stated, "I'm gutted, but I have no regrets. I've learned so much and Strictly has truly reignited my passion for dancing. Nikita, you've been instrumental in helping me find my inner Sam, who had gone a little quiet in the past couple of years but has now come back to life. I'm sad to go because I know I still have so much more to give."
She also shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing her gratitude to Nikita and the entire Strictly team for their support and hard work. Sam revealed how physically and mentally demanding the show was, but also how it was a dream come true for her.
Meanwhile, the remaining couples put on some stellar performances, with JLS singer JB Gill and stand-in professional partner Lauren Oakley scoring the joint highest of the season with 39 for their Bruno Mars medley. Sadly, Amy Dowden, who is normally JB's partner, was forced to miss the show due to illness.
Other highlights of the night included reality star Tasha Ghouri and professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec achieving a joint series high of 39 for their performance to Pink's What About Us, and a surprise cameo by Miranda Hart checking in on her co-star Sarah Hadland during rehearsals.
But the biggest talking point of the night was Go Compare singer Wynne Evans, who was accused by fans of breaking the rules by singing during his performance. And let's not forget the unforgettable Beyonce medley, with Johannes channeling his inner Sasha Fierce as the lead dancer.
As we bid farewell to Sam and Nikita, the remaining nine couples gear up for another week of intense rehearsals and performances. We can't wait to see what they have in store for us next Saturday at 6.35pm, with the results show on Remembrance Sunday at 7.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. And if you have any celebrity stories, videos, or pictures, don't hesitate to get in touch with our entertainment team - we'd love to hear from you!
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