Strictly Come Dancing’s sister show, It Takes Two, underwent a schedule change on Monday night for a heartwarming cause.
During the recent episode, presenter Fleur East announced she would be interviewing the recently eliminated pair, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and his professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova, following their departure over the weekend.
Tom, 24, and Nadiya, 35, found themselves in the dance-off against Neil Jones and Toyah Willcox, who were saved. The decision to vote off the swimming star and his professional dance partner in the first elimination left some viewers disgruntled.
Appearing on Monday’s It Takes Two, host Fleur, 36, revealed that their interview was pre-recorded due to a schedule adjustment for a very special reason involving Prince Harry and the WellChild Awards.
Fleur clarified: “Now Tom, the reason we’re doing this a little early is because you’re off to see Prince Harry! What’s happening?”, reports the Mirror.
In response, Tom said: “I am! I’m seeing Prince Harry for the WellChild Awards, it’s a charity that supports young people struggling with life-long diseases and it celebrates them and their carers.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be invited along to present an award which is a real honour so this [It Takes Two] and then off to that. Glad I could do both!”
Reflecting on his departure from Strictly, Tom shared: “I definitely wanted to go further in the competition, I’m gutted, there’s no two ways about it. I’ve thought about it loads and we’ve spoke about it loads, I did give it my all. There was nothing more I could have given. I loved every part of it.”
He continued: “I said, I don’t know what more either of us could have done, it was genuine shock and I just wish I could have kept going, I really do.”
Nadiya Bychkova, his dance partner, agreed with Tom, expressing: “It was a shock and I’m absolutely gutted that I won’t get the chance to teach this wonderful man another dance”, and lamented the fact they had many more plans.
Tom expressed his belief that they had performed well enough to stay another week and confessed his surprise at being voted off. He reiterated: “I just wish I could have stayed a part of it for longer!”
In a touching moment later in the interview, as the show replayed highlights of Tom’s journey, the Olympic star was visibly touched and received comfort from Nadiya.