‘Shocked’ Strictly star defends dance-off performance after fan backlash

Eliminated Strictly Come Dancing star Tom Dean has admitted his exit from the show was a ‘massive shock’ while defending his dance-off performance as ‘definitely improved’.

The Olympian, 24, became the first celebrity to be sent home in the 2024 series, alongside pro partner Nadiya Bychkova, 35, after opening the show with their cha cha to Boogie Wonderland.

Following the results show, Ukrainian-born dancer Nadiya posted on social media to say she was ‘not ready to talk about what happened’ yet after thanking fans for their messages of support.

Their dance received a score of 20, and their combined result from both weeks’ dances put them in 10th place out of 15 competing couples with 43 – clear of the bottom, but in a traditionally dangerous middle position on the leaderboard.

At the bottom was Toyah Wilcox, 66, and partner Neil Jones, who claimed 18 for their jive to Nutbush City Limits – which was added to their week one score of 12.

Fans had shown their displeasure over the result, with some claiming the ‘wrong couple’ had gone home and declaring themselves ‘mortified’ and ‘very disappointed’.

During their exit chat on Strictly’s companion show It Takes Two on Monday night, gold-medallist Tom shared that he ‘definitely wanted to go further in the competition’.

‘I’m gutted, there’s no two ways about it,’ he added. ‘I’ve thought about it loads and we’ve spoken about it loads. I did give it my all, there was nothing more I could have given.’

The swimmer said he had enjoyed every part of his experience, dubbing it ‘really special’.

‘I don’t know what more either of us could have done. It was a genuine shock,’ he revealed in a special pre-recorded chat owing to the athlete’s commitment to present at the Well Child Awards, alongside the likes of Prince Harry.

Tom also gave his take on their second time dancing their routine, with three out of the four judges opting to save singer and actress Toyah over him due to their opinions that he had been out of time during his performance.

Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse decided that Toyah’s musicality was more important to move forward than what was perceived by fans as far more complicated choreography in Tom and Nadiya’s dance.

However, Anton Du Beke opted to save them.

‘I think we nailed everything, it was a move on, it was definitely an improvement from the first time, I was convinced,’ Tom told presenter Fleur East.

‘I was really, really convinced we had done enough.’

He described their exit as ‘a massive shock’ – but he had kind words for his dance-off rival and fellow celebrities.

‘Obviously Toyah and the other contestants were incredible. I mean, what a crop this year. Everyone is amazing in their own right. I just wish I could have stayed a part of it for longer.’

Nadiya also said that she was in ‘shock and absolutely gutted’ that their time together had been cut short on the show.

She also backed up her partner’s rehearsal stamina and performance on the dancefloor, claiming: ‘On Thursday, we rehearsed 10 sets of thee. This man could have done that cha cha cha with his eyes closed. And he did.’

Toyah’s partner Neil also directly responded to some fan comments, defending his celeb by reminding everyone she was ‘a complete beginner’ and adding: ‘I wish nobody went home so we could see everyone improve.’