Olympic gold medallist Tom Dean has been announced as the first celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2024. The 24-year-old swimmer found himself in the dance-off against singer and actress Toyah Willcox, aged 66.
Dressed in glittering and fringed costumes, Dean reprised his lively cha cha with professional partner Nadiya Bychkova to Earth, Wind & Fire’s Boogie Wonderland. He had opened Saturday’s live show with this routine, earning a score of 20 from the judges, bringing his total to 43 after securing 23 points last week for his tango to Harry Styles’s Golden.
On the other hand, Willcox and her professional partner Neil Jones performed their energetic jive to Ike & Tina Turner’s Nutbush City Limits once again. They received 18 points for their performance but remained at the bottom of the leaderboard with a total of 30, having scored 12 last week.
After both pairs danced for a second time, the judges gave their verdicts. Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both chose to save Willcox and Jones, while Anton Du Beke opted to save Dean and Bychkova. Head judge Shirley Ballas had the final say and decided to save Willcox and Jones.
Reflecting on his journey on the show, Dean said: “I’ve had the best time the last few weeks and getting to work with Nadiya has been incredible. 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.”
His dance partner Bychkova revealed that Dean is not just a three-time Olympic champion but a “true gentleman”. “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,” she added.
The first results show of the series also saw the professional dancers and judges perform an “avant-garde gothic tango” routine to Prince’s When Doves Cry and New Order’s Blue Monday. Jazz group Ezra Collective also performed a rendition of God Gave Me Feet For Dancing featuring Yazmin Lacey.
The remaining 14 couples will take to the dance floor next Saturday for the movie week special on Saturday October 5 at 6.25pm with the results show on Sunday October 6 at 7.15pm on BBC One.