Dan Walker, 46, shared a heartfelt post after his Strictly co-star Tilly Ramsay, 20, was voted out of the competition on Sunday night. She and her pro partner Nikita Kuzmin, were booted off the show following a tense dance off with Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu.
Tilly thanked everyone on the show for the “most extraordinary time” as she recalled her “positive journey”.
“I’d just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has made this an amazing, positive journey for me,” she said.
“From everyone here to backstage, wardrobe, make up and camera crew. It’s just been the most extraordinary time. I found out something about myself that I didn’t know I could do, I didn’t know I could dance and have fun like this.”
She added: “So a massive thank you and, obviously, a huge thank you to Nikita who has guided me out of my shell and has just made this the most amazing experience.”
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She added: “Thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s just been amazing. I really meant it when I said I made a best friend for life. You’ve just been incredible. Thank you for the best couple of weeks.”
Following her exit, Dan took to social media on Monday morning to share his thoughts.
“Tilly Ramsey is wonderful. She fills every room with smiles & kindness & her partnership with Nikita is beautiful,” he wrote.
“Her attitude throughout has been a real example & she’s a gorgeous dancer.”
He added: “Especially when you consider she’d hardly ever worn heels before this started!”
“IT’S A TV SHOW! See you in the 1/4 finals.”
Under the tweet Dan received a mixed response from Strictly fans, with some feeling that he had a good point and praised him for his conduct throughout the show.
Sally Wright wrote: “He is so popular because he’s progressed so well, it’s a good partnership, choreography has been good, he’s a great performer, he is likeable/watchable and not coasting. All those things make him popular so stop trying to bring him down. It’s not cut and dry most technical dancer should win.”(sic)
Diane Lennan added: “For me strictly is about people like you complete novice to dancer! For that reason I’d love to see you in the final! Seems lots of people have forgotten how to #bekind.”
Whereas Bee Collins snapped: “Not feeling a little bit ashamed when better dancers go out instead of you? It’s a TV show and a dance competition. Criticism of your wooden dancing is also allowed!”
TheTollgates added: “No shame! Genuine question, how do you feel when great dancers are going home?
“You may be popular, but it’s supposed to be a dancing contest, not a popularity vote. Turns @bbcstrictly into a joke!” added TheTollgates.
Strictly continues on BBC One on Saturday.