Will Mellor got so close to the Strictly Come Dancing grand final – but it wasn’t to be.
The Coronation Street actor and his partner Nancy Xu landed in the dreaded dance-off against Fleur East and Vito Coppola and had to perform their upbeat Couples Choice to a 90s Manchester-inspired medley, while Fleur performed her Charleston to Fiorell’s Tu Vuo’ Fa L’Americano.
Sadly, in what was hailed the most ‘difficult’ decision to date, judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas opted to save Fleur, while Anton Du Beke chose to keep Will in the competition.
‘This has been really difficult tonight for me and I’ve done a lot of these, darling!’ Craig began.
‘I found it so hard because both couples are extraordinary and I want to see both couples in the final but that can’t be so. For me, tonight the most impressive couple that I would like to save and send through to the final are Fleur and Vito.’
Delivering his verdict, Anton added: ‘Well based on this dance in the dance off and this dance only, I think it is really important to say that, because these couples both danced terrifically and I marked them the same on Sunday night.
‘And now I am looking for real detail, how do I separate them? I’m really searching for something, its such fine detail. Due to an error in a dismount from a lift, I am going to have to save Will and Nancy.’
When asked by presenter Tess Daly about his time on the show, Will said: ‘I have to thank you all for giving me this chance to put a smile on my mums face, she deserves it.
‘I’ll take whatever I have learnt from this show forward in whatever I do because it shows you can achieve more than you think.
‘I didn’t think I’d be able to get anywhere near this and I am so proud of what we have achieved but also everybody who has voted for me, who has supported me, the messages I’ve had from my local community and children. Thank you all so much, we really, really appreciated every bit.’
Nancy was then asked if she had any words for Will while breaking down in tears, gutted after falling at the final hurdle.
She exclaimed: ‘I want to thank everyone who works on the show, it’s an incredible show, I’ve had such an amazing journey.
‘The support from the whole team is just phenomenal. I’m proud of the partnership, we’ve had such an amazing journey together. I really wish I could make more memories with you and your family.
Before taking a look at his Strictly highlights, Will added: ‘Anyone watching this show, the people that work on this show, the crew, the make up team, the wardrobe team, the judges, the contestants, this is an unbelievable journey. If you get the chance to get on this floor then do it, it’s unbelievable this place.’
Fans later took to Twitter to share their pride for Will and their sadness over his exit.
‘This is the most I’ve cried over an elimination in the last two years,’ one tweeted.
‘Gutted for Will and Nancy but can we celebrate the fact that Nancy has got both her partners to the semi final so far like what a gal, she’s now one of my fave additions to the Strictly pro line up in recent years like the energy and creativity she brings is so special’, another added, noting Nancy’s success with Rhys Stephenson last year.
‘Will should be very proud. In my opinion he had one of the best first dances EVER on Strictly’, tweeted former Strictly pro James Jordan.
The remaining four couples will be back on Saturday for the final time to compete for the coveted glitter ball trophy.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 7:05pm on BBC One.
