Former EastEnders star Nina Wadia and her pro dancing partner Neil Jones have become the first couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2021.
The pair were in the bottom two on Sunday night alongside Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn and dance pro Gorka Marquez.
After a dance-off, the judges voted to save Katie and Gorka and send Nadia and Neil home.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood said: “Well, both couples clearly upped their game from the first time they danced. Nina, you got every step right. Katie, you really kept the energy up all the way through to the end with lots of retraction but the couple I’d like to save is Katie and Gorka.”
Head judge Shirley Ballas said Sunday’s show featured “one of the closest battles I think we’ve ever had in a dance-off”.
She added: “Both couples upped their game. Bot couples were absolutely delightful to watch. Neither couple had mistakes so I’ve decided to go with the couple who had more advanced technical actions in their dance and that couple is Katie and Gorka.”
Speaking about her time on the show, Nina said: “It’s been really fun, thank you so much. Neil is incredible, thank you.”
Reacting to the elimination on Twitter, one Strictly fan wrote: “A crime has been committed tonight.”
Another tweeted: “Was I watching a completely different dance off??? Clearly Nina was better”, while a third penned: “I’m sorry, but no way should Nina and Neil have gone this week big mistake.”
A crime has been committed tonight. 😩 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/ZXlXKR674S
— Sazzle (@sazziola) October 3, 2021
Was I watching a completely different dance off??? Clearly Nina was better #Strictly pic.twitter.com/MKSfBtKcI3
— Emma Pullen (@Em_Pullen) October 3, 2021
I'm sorry,but no way should Nina and Neil have gone this week big mistake #Strictly
— Claire Powell (@krakenmum) October 3, 2021
NINA’S BEEN ROBBED!!! She had so much potential. Katie should have definitely been the one to leave 🤷🏼♂️ #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing pic.twitter.com/EGgAKrIQVV
— CH (@OfficialCWH) October 3, 2021
Nina and Neil were robbed just saying. They did the best in the dance off. 💔😭 Keep dancing Nina you are incredible #Strictly @Nina_Wadia @Mr_NJones pic.twitter.com/K8LQdmlXpZ
— Ryan Glendenning (@RyanGTweetsTV) October 3, 2021
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One on Saturday at 6.45pm.
