Nikita Kanda is the second celebrity to depart the dancefloor in Strictly Come Dancing 2023
It’s Movie Week and last night’s show opened with a magical routine from our Strictly professionals, before the remaining couples took to the Ballroom floor for a night of movie inspired performances to impress our judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge, Shirley Ballas and the voting public.
This weekend, Nikita Kanda became the second contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing as she faced Zara McDermott in the dreaded dance off.
Both couples performed their routines again. First Zara and her dance partner Graziano Di Prima performed their Pasodoble to The Puss Suite from Puss In Boots. Then, Nikita and her dance partner Gorka Márquez performed their Jive to Kids In America from Clueless in a bid to impress the judges and remain in the competition.
After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts:
Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Zara and Graziano.
Craig said: “The couple I’d like to save had both technique and theatricality, and that couple is Zara & Graziano.”
Motsi Mabuse chose to save Zara and Graziano.
Motsi said: “I thought both couples gave it their best, but one couple made a few mistakes that were quite visible, so that’s why I’m saving Zara and Graziano.”
Anton Du Beke chose to save Zara and Graziano.
Anton said: “I did think both couples danced better in the dance off, unfortunately there were a couple of small mistakes from one of the couples, so the couple I would like to save is Zara & Graziano.”
With three votes in favour of Zara and Graziano, they won the majority vote meaning that Nikita and Gorka would be leaving the competition. Head Judge Shirley Ballas also agreed and said she would have decided to save Zara and Graziano.
When asked by Tess about their time on the show, Nikitasaid: “I don’t want to leave yet, I feel like I’ve let him down. I’ve had the best time and I love all my Strictly family, I’m going to miss you all. This has been a dream come true, I’m so grateful. I’ve got to say the biggest thankyou to Gorka, he has been the biggest support and I’ve had the best time ever.”
Gorka was then asked by Tess about Nikita overcoming her nerves and how proud he is of her, he said: “I am beyond proud of her, for someone that doesn’t have any dance experience or performance experience to come on this show and dance in front of millions of people – for three weeks, I think it’s incredible. You should be very proud of yourself, you have never let me down and I am very proud of you. This show is going to teach you so many things about yourself that you can take with you and I take incredible memories. I’ve never laughed so much in three weeks than I did with you!”
Sunday’s Results show also featured our professional dancers taking us on a pinktastic visit to Barbie Land, and the incredible Madison Beer performed Showed Me (How I fell In Love With You) in the ballroom.
The remaining thirteen couples will take to the dancefloor next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 14th October at 6:30pm with the results show on Sunday 15th October at 7:15pm on BBC One.
Both of this weekend’s episodes are available to watch now via BBC iPlayer.
Strictly It Takes Two
Nikita and Gorka will be joining Fleur East and Janette Manrara for their first exclusive televised interview live on Strictly: It Takes Two on Monday 9th October at 6:30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
