Strictly star Tom Dean puts on a brave face as he snaps a final selfie with his fellow celebrity dancers after becoming the FIRST contestant to be eliminated in shock exit

September 30, 2024

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Strictly Come Dancing star Tom Dean snapped a final selfie with his fellow celebrity dancers over the weekend after becoming the first contestant to be booted from the show.

Triple Olympic gold medallist Tom, 24, and his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova , 35, left the competition following a tense dance off against Toyah Willcox and professional Neil Jones .

And the athlete put on a brave face as she cosied up to the cast for one final hurrah following his exit in week two.

The photo in question, shared by Strictly on Saturday following the pre-recorded results show, sees Tom at the front as beamed alongside the stars and their professional dance partners.

Next to him stood singer Toyah, whose survival in the competition sparked outcry from fans watching at home.

Strictly Come Dancing star Tom Dean snapped a final selfie with his fellow celebrity dancers over the weekend after becoming the first contestant to be booted from the show.

Triple Olympic gold medallist Tom, 24, and his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova , 35, left the competition following a tense dance off against Toyah Willcox and professional Neil Jones

During Sunday’s results show, both couples performed their routines again; Tom and Nadiya took on their Cha Cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire then Toyah and Neil performed their Jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner.

After both couples danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts as Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Toyah and Neil.

Next Motsi Mabuse chose to save Toyah and Neil while Anton Du Beke chose to save Tom and Nadiya.

With two votes for Toyah and Neil, and one vote for Tom and Nadiya, head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and chose to save Toyah and Neil.

When asked by host Tess Daly 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.’

Tom’s professional dance partner 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.

Tom and Nadiyah were comforted by host Tess Daly after their shock exit during Sunday night’s results show

Both couples performed their routines again; Tom and Nadiya took on their Cha Cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire then Toyah and Neil performed their Jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner

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

Taking to X, fans struggled to understand the decision branding it ‘bizarre’ and claimed the Olympic legend had been ‘robbed’.

Writing: ‘Tom did NOT deserve to go. So gutted for him!’: ‘I’m shook why would they vote for Toyah?’: ‘Ridiculous’: ‘I don’t understand the decision at all, justice for Tom’: ‘Fumin’: ‘Why Shirley? WHY?’.

With two votes for Toyah and Neil, and one vote for Tom and Nadiya, head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and chose to save Toyah and Neil

Taking to X, fans struggled to understand the decision branding it ‘bizarre’ and claimed the Olympic legend had been ‘robbed’

More said: ‘That Strictly Come Dancing result, ridiculous’: ‘No, no, no no… shook that Tom has gone! Wrong decision in my opinion!’: ‘What a bizarre and incorrect dance off result’: ‘Timing and clarity? How about some actual steps that are required in the dance? There was no Jive [in Toyah’s routine]. Tom was robbed’

The remaining 14 couples will take to the dancefloor next week for the Movie Week Special.

Tom and Nadiya will be joining Fleur East and Janette Manrara for their first exclusive televised interview live on Strictly: It Takes Two on Monday.