Nikita and Ellie’s Scooby Doo routine was a mixed success (Picture: BBC)
A tearful Ellie Simmonds and her Strictly Come Dancing professional partner Nikita Kuzmin thanked fans for ‘the love and support’ as they avoided the dreaded dance-off despite finishing in the bottom two on the leaderboard.
The Paralympic gold medallist and Nikita scored 29 for their foxtrot to the theme from Scooby Doo on Saturday night, dressed as Velma Dinkley and Shaggy Rogers from the iconic TV series, respectively.
Although judge Motis Mabuse reckoned it was a ‘great improvement’ for the pair, and Ellie herself teased an acting career after the performance, her colleague Craig Revel Horwood stated: ‘It was very stop-and-start and that annoyed me to no end. It wasn’t my favourite, it was slightly boring.’
Their marks put them ahead of EastEnders actor James Bye and Amy Dowden at the bottom with 27, and behind Tony Adams and Katya Jones, who nabbed a 31 for their quickstep.
Speaking on Sunday night’s results show, after being confirmed as saved thanks to the public vote, co-host Claudia Winkleman turned to the pair and pointed out that Ellie was ‘quite emotional’.
With her voice breaking as she fought off tears, the swimmer replied: ‘Yeah, I am, very much so. Because we were in the bottom two of the leader board, so were, to be honest, expecting [to be in the dance-off].’
The retired athlete was comforted by Claudia after becoming teary (Picture: BBC)
Ellie admitted she’d prepped herself for the dance-off with coffee (Picture: BBC)
Pro dancer Nikita, agreed, confirming they were ‘ready’ to take to the dance floor once more, as Ellie joked: ‘I had a double espresso thinking I’m going to be in the dance-off!’
She then added: ‘We just want to thank everybody so much for the love and support,’ as Nikita gave her shoulders a comforting squeeze.
Nikita also shared that he was ‘truly grateful’ and that it was ‘very special’ for him to ‘get another week with you,’ as he looked to Ellie.
The pair thanked fans for their love and support (Picture: BBC)
Halloween week saw them perform a foxtrot to the theme from the iconic US TV show (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Sunday saw James and Amy in the dance-off against singer and X Factor star Fleur East and her partner Vito Coppola, in their second shock appearance in the bottom two, despite placing higher on the leader board.
In the end, their Salsa to Beyonce’s Break My Soul saved them against James and Amy’s Charleston to Bumble Bee by LaVern Baker.
James Bye left the show this week after facing Fleur East in the dance-off (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
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He told co-host Tess Daly upon his elimination: ‘I’ve had the best time on this show and I have a friend for life [in Amy], all I can do is thank the family, and I have a new family now.
‘It’s a competition but you don’t feel like that backstage, you honestly feel like everyone has each other’s backs and everyone is just willing everyone to do their best!’
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.
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Their Scooby Doo routine didn’t convince all the judges.