Strictly Come Dancing 2024 exits: Who was the latest celebrity to leave the show
Strictly Come Dancing has properly kicked off for 2024 as the elimination process has begun and celebrities are being sent home. The first celebrity exited on Sunday, September 29 as the first dance-off took place and one celebrity was sent home.
There are now seven celebrities left in the competition all with their eyes on winning the esteemed glitterball. There have been high scores, low scores, lifts and of course lots of spray tan and glitter in the series. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have guided the celebrities through while judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse have given their advice and criticism. Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday and Sunday nights on BBC One and here are all the celebrities who have left so far, we will update this article whenever a celebrity is voted off:
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Week ten - Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
After musicals week it was Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe who were sent home after they went head-to-head against Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec in the dance-off. After both pairs reprised their routines, with Montell and Johannes performing their Rumba to I'm Here from The Color Purple, and Tasha and Aljaž delivering their Argentine Tango to Ex-Wives from Six, the judges weighed in with their verdicts.
Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke all opted to save Tasha and Aljaž, securing their spot in the competition. Although head judge Shirley Ballas didn't need to cast her vote, she concurred that she would have also chosen to save Tasha and Aljaž.
Reflecting on her time with Johannes, Montell expressed her gratitude, saying: "He has been amazing. Strictly has touched me in ways I never knew possible. I'm an Olympian and a Gladiator, but I have honestly struggled with confidence my whole life and being on the show, with the beautiful crew, the judges, the cast has just been such an honour. I have to say thank you to you [Johannes] because I really have found a friend and a brother in this man. I mean it from the bottom of my heart, I hope he's in my life forever, because we have something very special."
Week nine - Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
Week nine saw Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas leave the competition after they faced Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas in the dance off. Reflecting on his Strictly journey, Jamie expressed: "Strictly is magic. That is all I can say. Strictly is magic. Not just everyone who you see in front of the camera, these four here - the judges, but everyone who works on this show."
He continued, praising the team spirit and camaraderie behind the scenes: "I have such a good bond and relationship with and that's what made me want to do this show, it's the people, not what I'm doing. I've had the best time. I could ramble on all day about this one [Michelle]. She's a new pro and she's absolutely been the most amazing teacher. We have laughed like you wouldn't believe. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everyone on the show, so thank you." You can read more, here.
Week eight - Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
Welsh favourite Wynne Evans and his professional dance partner Katya Jones are the latest couple to leave the show. Competing for survival against Olympian and Gladiators personality Montell Douglas with Johannes Radebe, Wynne and Katya were sent home post the audience vote and judges' scores.
Wynne said: "It's been wonderful, I've got to say. I feel like it's what Strictly is all about. If I can come and do Strictly and last until week nine, then anybody can get out there and dance and have a brilliant time. Strictly is such a brilliant family, such a precious family, that I want everybody here in this room and at home to look after it for the generations to come because it is a wonderful, wonderful thing."
Wynne expressed his gratitude, saying: "To have been partnered with Katya has been amazing and coming every Saturday night to hang out with these guys (my other contestants), that's been wonderful. But to spend every weekday dancing has been just fantastic. I've grown so much and I'm so thankful to have met this person (Katya)."
Week seven - Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Partnered with the talented Nancy Xu, Shayne Ward became the seventh celebrity to bid farewell to the competition, missing out on the chance to dazzle in Blackpool's legendary Tower Ballroom. In a tense results segment, Shayne, 40, and Nancy, 33, found themselves in the dreaded dance-off against fellow competitors Wynne Evans and Katya Jones.
Both couples had to perform their routines again with Shayne and Nancy performing their Rumba to Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper, while Wynne and Katya performed their American Smooth to Grace Kelly by MIKA. After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts where they had a split decision, forcing head judge Shirley Ballas to have the final say.
Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both chose to save Shayne and Nancy. However, Anton Du Beke chose to save Wynne and Katya. With two votes in favour of Shayne and Nancy, the deciding decision came down to head judge Shirley, 64, who decided to save Wynne and Katya, meaning Shayne and Nancy would sadly be leaving the competition.
After learning he would be leaving the show, Shayne said: "I just want to say, you guys up there [the other contestants in the Clauditorium] are a dream. Every single day, coming in here and seeing you guys you helped me so much. I want to say thank you to the audience as well, for always being amazing for us all. This has been, honestly, one of the best things I've ever done." You can read more, here.
Week six - Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin
In a tense results segment, 36-year-old Sam and her 26-year-old dance partner Nikita faced a tough battle in the dance-off against competitors Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe. Reflecting on her Strictly adventure with host Tess Daly, a disappointed Sam expressed her feelings: "I'm gutted, I just want to say thank you. I've learned so much. Strictly has just brought that spring in my step back. It's just been an absolute joy.
"Nikita, you've been key in helping me find that inner Sam that was there, who went a little bit quiet for maybe one or two years and has just come back. I'm gutted because I do feel like I still have more to give." You can read more, here.
Week five - Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez
Shayne and Nancy found themselves in the dance off again but it was Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez who were sent home. Asked about her time on the compeition, Krishan said: “I am really proud of myself. You know I’ve taken on something that’s so out of my comfort zone. The one thing that I’ve very much learnt is to say yes more, and that there is no point in your life when you can stop learning new skills.
“I’ve learnt more than dancing, I’ve learnt so much from Gorka. Everyone’s been so incredible and it’s just memories that I’ll take home forever and I am very proud. I’ve made my family very proud, I’m just really grateful.”
Week four - Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Former professional footballer turned pundit Paul Merson and his professional dance partner Karen Hauer were the fourth to leave the show. They faced JLS star JB Gill and Amy Dowden in the dance off, which was a surprise to fans due to JB and Amy's higher score.
Paul, who is a former Arsenal player, said: "It's been amazing, honestly, amazing. I loved every minute of it, I've had a great teacher. She's been amazing, absolutely amazing and I couldn't wish for a better coach. I've loved every minute of it. I can dance now - I've won because I can dance, I couldn't dance before and I can half dance now. It's a bonus, absolute bonus."
Karen told Paul: "You're what Strictly is about and I want to thank you for bringing such joy and just showing everyone that it is possible with a little bit of work and lots of giggles."
Week three - Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
After facing Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu in the dance off it was TV presenter Nick Knowles and his professional dance partner Luba Mushtuk who were voted off. Nick, who had missed the previous week after sustaining a shoulder injury, was ultimately eliminated from the series by a unanimous vote.
Asked about his time on the series, Nick said: “I’ve really, really been surprised by how much I’ve loved doing it and by two things that happen. One is how much you care each week, and the other is how much you don’t want to let down your partner. The only reason I could do this is simply because of Luba’s changes, she’s been amazing.”
Week two - Toyah Wilcox and Neil Jones
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones left the competition following a dance off against Paul Merson and Karen Hauer during the second results show of the series. Both couples performed their routines again; Toyah and Neil performed their Samba to Poor Unfortunate Souls from Little Mermaid. Then Paul and his dance partner Karen performed their Cha Cha to The Magnificent Seven from The Magnificent Seven.
When asked by Tess about their time on the show, Toyah said: "It's been the best two months of my life, it has been fantastic. I have enjoyed every second. And you (Neil) have been phenomenal, thank you so much."
Neil said: "She has made me laugh so much, I have never seen someone work so hard - I'm the one asking for breaks every now and then! She just kept going, she wanted to learn so much. If you saw her in the hallway she’s been practicing. Everyone’s been telling me have you seen Toyah practicing, she’s brilliant and she’s what Strictly is all about, and I’ve loved every moment”
When asked by Tess about her partner Neil, Toyah said: "It was immediate, it had to be Neil. I felt so comfortable and safe. You're a great teacher, you're a great friend as well. You've just given me a new zest for life, that's the most valuable thing I've come away with."
Week one - Tom Dean and Nadiya Bychkova
Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and his professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova were the first couple voted off. They competed in the dance-off against singer-songwriter Toyah Willcox and her partner Neil Jones.
Tom's Cha Cha Cha did not impress the judges with only Motsi Mabuse choosing to save them. Speaking about his time on the show, Tom 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."
Nadiya added: "To get to know him, he’s not just a three-time Olympic champion he’s a true gentleman and 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."
