Les Dennis’ stint on Strictly Come Dancing 2023 has come to an end as the first celebrity has been eliminated.
The actor and broadcaster has received the fewest overall scores from the judges over the last two weeks, together with his professional dance partner Nancy Xu.
Nonetheless, fans of the BBC programme have praised him for putting his all into his performances and revelling in the atmosphere of Strictly at the age of 69.
Les and Nancy’s Samba to Hues Corporation’s Rock The Boat on Saturday night landed them in the bottom two, forcing them to compete in the dreaded dance-off against radio presenter Nikita Kanda and her partner Gorka Márquez.
The judges voted after viewing both acts, which featured Nikita and Gorka executing a Charleston to a critically critiqued rendition of Beyoncé’s Single Ladies.
First up was Craig Revel Horwood, who announced: ‘The couple I would like to save and who I think danced the best on the night and was the most improved is Nikita and Gorka.’
Motsi Mabuse agreed with Craig’s decision, stating: ‘Both couples danced better in the dance off. One couple was extremely better in the dance off. I will save Nikita and Gorka.’
Next came Anton, who confirmed Les and Nancy’s fate as he said: ‘I thought it was a competition of two couples on performance alone and who could really nail their performance. I think the couple who did the best job were Nikita and Gorka.’
While the three votes confirmed that Les and Nancy were out, head judge Shirley Ballas said that she would have voted to rescue Nikita and Gorka as well.
Following his removal, Les stated that he had the ‘greatest experience’ on Strictly, before thanking Nancy for being ‘wonderful’ and a ‘fantastic instructor’.
‘She’s really put me through my paces,’ he said, before speaking to his partner directly.
‘I did as well as I could for you, I hope! That lot up there, I’m going to miss you so much,’ he stated.
He continued: ‘I really appreciate and understand the judges’ point of view, thank you so much [to Shirley] for giving me a 10 for entertainment.
‘I hope I’ve entertained, that’s what I came here for. Strictly is the best and the people who put this on, you’re just all amazing!’
Nancy added: ‘It’s been a journey. This is such a short but a sweet journey. A lot of challenges we all know, but to see you every day improve yourself. I respect you so, so much.
‘I just want to say thank you to the judges and all my fellow friends. Thank you Strictly Come Dancing for all of your support. Thank you Les.’
The remaining 14 couples will compete in Movie Week next week, while Les and Nancy will join Fleur East and Janette Manrara on Monday evening to discuss their elimination from Strictly: It Takes Two.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 6.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
