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Tom Dean and Nadiya Bychkova hugged by Strictly contestants© BBC

First Strictly contestant eliminated following tense dance-off: 'I wish I could have gone further'

Tom Dean and Toyah Willcox found themselves in the dance-off on Sunday night

Megan Bull
TV Writer
September 29, 2024
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Tom Dean is the first celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2024. After landing in the bottom two, the Olympian faced off against singer and actress Toyah Willcox in Sunday's dance-off. 

Tom and his professional partner, Nadiya Bychkova took to the dancefloor, performing their cha cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire for a second time. Meanwhile, Toyah and her dance partner, Neil Jones reprised their jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner. 

Tom Dean and Nadiya Bychkova and Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones in the dance-off© BBC
Tom Dean and Nadiya Bychkova faced off against Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones in the dance-off

Following the dance-off, Anton Du Beke voted to save Tom and Nadiya, however, his fellow judges – Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas – voted to save Toyah and Neil. 

In an emotional moment, Tom reflected on his Strictly journey. "I've had the best time the last few weeks and getting to work with Nadiya has been incredible," he said. 

Tom Dean and Nadiya Bychkova voted out of the competition © BBC
Tom and Nadiya were voted out of the competition

"I wish I could have gone further and done more dances. I've had the most fun and I wish we could keep going longer and longer. We'll still go out for loads of brunches I'm sure."

Nadiya, who joined Strictly in 2017, was quick to sing his praises. Calling Tom a "true gentleman," she added: "He taught me how to work really hard and how to put everything in. 

And you know what? On this programme, sometimes to win, you don't need to win, and that's how I feel this year."

An action-packed results show, fans also watched as the professional dancers and judges performed an "avant-garde gothic tango" routine to Prince's When Doves Cry and New Order's Blue Monday.

Strictly Come Dancing line-up: Sam Quek MBE, Shayne Ward, Tasha Ghouri, Dr Punam Krishan, Pete Wicks, Jamie Borthwick, Nick Knowles, JB Gill, Chris McCausland, Montell Douglas, Toyah Willcox, Wynne Evans, Paul Merson, Sarah Hadland & Tom Dean MBE© Ray Burmiston
The celebrity contestants are preparing for movie week on Saturday 5 October

With series 22 in full swing, the remaining 14 couples will return for movie week on Saturday 5 October. The line-up of routines are yet to be confirmed. 

Currently, Tasha Ghouri and Sarah Hadland have already emerged as this year's top contenders for the coveted Glitterball trophy. 

Tasha Ghouri dancing with Aljaz Skorjanec© Guy Levy
Tasha Ghouri has emerged as a top contender this season

During week one, Tasha and her partner Aljaž Škorjanec bagged themselves a respectable 30 with their cha cha to Sabrina Carpenter's song of the summer 'Espresso'. They followed up with a score of 35 during week two, with judge Craig calling it the "dance of the night."

As for Miranda star Sarah, the actress and her partner Vito Coppola, were awarded a 30 with their Quickstep routine. In week two, the duo received a 32 thanks to their Paso Doble to Freed From Desire by Gala. 

Chris McCausland is another favourite this season. The comedian, who has made history as Strictly's first-ever blind contestant, received a standing ovation in week one after performing the cha cha alongside Dianne Buswell. 

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