Dan Walker was finally knocked from the running after 11 impressive weeks in this year’s Strictly competition. The newsreader was joined by Sally Nugent on BBC Breakfast on Monday and sent an emotional farewell to Nadiya Bychkova ahead of their last dance together in the final.
The fan favourite Strictly celeb said it was the right decision for him to go but admitted he was sad the experience was over.
He took to Twitter during Monday’s edition of Breakfast to pay tribute to his co-star Nadiya, as well as the fans who have supported him over the last couple of months.
Dan wrote: “I’m sad it’s over but I’m so thankful it happened.
“We had an amazing run and the right four people are in the [semi-final] – Rose, John, AJ and Rhys are all brilliant.”
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“I’m so glad everyone has seen the real @NadiyaBychkova this series. She taught me how to dance… I taught her cricket.”
Dan and Nadiya were voted off the show after their Tango, which scored 31 points.
They ended up in a dance-off with AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington, who scored 30 points after Kai nearly dropped his partner during their Salsa.
The judges voted unanimously to save AJ and Kai, and Dan even joked he would have voted to save their opponents too.
“To get all that way without being in a dance-off.”
“Incredible,” he said, and Sally agreed the result was “unbelievable”.
“Particularly when I’m a tall, awkward idiot,” Dan added.
The presenter and first-time dancer was happy with the decision to be eliminated, as he felt he wouldn’t be able to compete with AJ, Rose Ayling-Ellis, John Whaite and Rhys Stephenson.