Tony and Katya were the latest to leave the competition (Picture: PA)
Tony Adams has withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing after sustaining an injury during Saturday’s live show.
The former footballer was unable to perform in the dreaded dance off against Tyler West and Dianne Buswell tonight, meaning they were automatically sent through to Blackpool week without having to perform their routine again.
After presenter Tess Daly made the announcement, she turned to the judges to reflect on the Arsenal legend’s dance journey.
‘You have grown week after week,’ said head judge Shirley Ballas.
‘I on behalf of the judges have enjoyed every second of watching you, and I can only wish you the very best, please carry on dancing.’
When asked by presenter Tess Daly about his time on the show, Tony said: ‘It’s been emotional guys, I cried for the first month.
The former footballer withdrew from the BBC series after sustaining an injury (Picture: BBC)
‘I’ve loved it, every minute of it,’ he said (Picture: PA)
‘I came in here with one message, if you’ve got an issue with mental health then please don’t suffer in silence and reach out for help.’
He continued: ‘Little did I know that I was going to learn a lot about myself in the process. I thought this “journey” rubbish was nonsense, but my God the rollercoaster of emotion.
‘I’ve got to be honest, it’s tough, physically it’s really tough out there, but dancing is really fantastic for you.
Tony was unable to perform in tonight’s dance off (Picture: BBC)
Tyler West and Dianne Buswell were sent through to next week (Picture: BBC)
‘Go out there and enjoy it and pick up new skills and explore. I suppose I had better mention this one [Katya] hadn’t I, she is an exceptional human being, she really is.’
Tony’s professional dance partner Katya Jones was equally full of praise for Tony and said she will ‘forever grateful that I was partnered up with you’.
‘Do you know what I loved?’ she asked. ‘I loved us, I loved that we didn’t care what people thought, we did every single dance our way!
‘You have come here with a message, you led by example, and put yourself out there, and showed everyone you can do anything. And everyone deserves love and to be loved! I love you.’
Fans took to Twitter to congratulate Tony’s Strictly journey, with one writing: ‘Well done Tony putting himself out there with a great message – and having fun doing it.’
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‘Tony is a real Gent! Well done for getting this far!’ another added.
The remaining eight couples will take to the dancefloor next when Strictly Come Dancing returns to the Blackpool Tower next Saturday.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 7.45pm on BBC One.
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There was no dance off tonight.
