Strictly Come Dancing 2024 exits: Who was the latest celebrity to leave the show
Strictly Come Dancing has properly kicked off for 2024 as the elimination process has begun and celebrities are being sent home. The first celebrity exited on Sunday, September 29 as the first dance-off took place and one celebrity was sent home.
There are now nine celebrities left in the competition all with their eyes on winning the esteemed glitterball. There have been high scores, low scores, lifts and of course lots of spray tan and glitter in the series. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have guided the celebrities through while judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse have given their advice and criticism. Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday and Sunday nights on BBC One and here are all the celebrities who have left so far, we will update this article whenever a celebrity is voted off:
ALL ABOUT TOM: Strictly star Tom Dean's 7,000 calorie diet and 'tough' conversation before Olympics
Week six - Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin
In a tense results segment, 36-year-old Sam and her 26-year-old dance partner Nikita faced a tough battle in the dance-off against competitors Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe. Reflecting on her Strictly adventure with host Tess Daly, a disappointed Sam expressed her feelings: "I'm gutted, I just want to say thank you. I've learned so much. Strictly has just brought that spring in my step back. It's just been an absolute joy.
"Nikita, you've been key in helping me find that inner Sam that was there, who went a little bit quiet for maybe one or two years and has just come back. I'm gutted because I do feel like I still have more to give." You can read more, here.
Week five - Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez
Shayne and Nancy found themselves in the dance off again but it was Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez who were sent home. Asked about her time on the compeition, Krishan said: “I am really proud of myself. You know I’ve taken on something that’s so out of my comfort zone. The one thing that I’ve very much learnt is to say yes more, and that there is no point in your life when you can stop learning new skills.
“I’ve learnt more than dancing, I’ve learnt so much from Gorka. Everyone’s been so incredible and it’s just memories that I’ll take home forever and I am very proud. I’ve made my family very proud, I’m just really grateful.”
Week four - Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Former professional footballer turned pundit Paul Merson and his professional dance partner Karen Hauer were the fourth to leave the show. They faced JLS star JB Gill and Amy Dowden in the dance off, which was a surprise to fans due to JB and Amy's higher score.
Paul, who is a former Arsenal player, said: "It's been amazing, honestly, amazing. I loved every minute of it, I've had a great teacher. She's been amazing, absolutely amazing and I couldn't wish for a better coach. I've loved every minute of it. I can dance now - I've won because I can dance, I couldn't dance before and I can half dance now. It's a bonus, absolute bonus."
Karen told Paul: "You're what Strictly is about and I want to thank you for bringing such joy and just showing everyone that it is possible with a little bit of work and lots of giggles."
Week three - Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
After facing Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu in the dance off it was TV presenter Nick Knowles and his professional dance partner Luba Mushtuk who were voted off. Nick, who had missed the previous week after sustaining a shoulder injury, was ultimately eliminated from the series by a unanimous vote.
Asked about his time on the series, Nick said: “I’ve really, really been surprised by how much I’ve loved doing it and by two things that happen. One is how much you care each week, and the other is how much you don’t want to let down your partner. The only reason I could do this is simply because of Luba’s changes, she’s been amazing.”
Week two - Toyah Wilcox and Neil Jones
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones left the competition following a dance off against Paul Merson and Karen Hauer during the second results show of the series. Both couples performed their routines again; Toyah and Neil performed their Samba to Poor Unfortunate Souls from Little Mermaid. Then Paul and his dance partner Karen performed their Cha Cha to The Magnificent Seven from The Magnificent Seven.
When asked by Tess about their time on the show, Toyah said: "It's been the best two months of my life, it has been fantastic. I have enjoyed every second. And you (Neil) have been phenomenal, thank you so much."
Neil said: "She has made me laugh so much, I have never seen someone work so hard - I'm the one asking for breaks every now and then! She just kept going, she wanted to learn so much. If you saw her in the hallway she’s been practicing. Everyone’s been telling me have you seen Toyah practicing, she’s brilliant and she’s what Strictly is all about, and I’ve loved every moment”
When asked by Tess about her partner Neil, Toyah said: "It was immediate, it had to be Neil. I felt so comfortable and safe. You're a great teacher, you're a great friend as well. You've just given me a new zest for life, that's the most valuable thing I've come away with."
Week one - Tom Dean and Nadiya Bychkova
Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and his professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova were the first couple voted off. They competed in the dance-off against singer-songwriter Toyah Willcox and her partner Neil Jones.
Tom's Cha Cha Cha did not impress the judges with only Motsi Mabuse choosing to save them. Speaking 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."
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. And you know what? On this programme, sometimes to win, you don’t need to win, and that’s how I feel this year."
