Tom Dean is the first celebrity to exit Strictly Come Dancing

Tom Dean has made headlines as the first celebrity to exit Strictly Come Dancing in the results show aired tonight. This weekend, the contestants returned to the dance floor for their second routines, marking the inaugural elimination of the season.

The 24-year-old Dean, alongside his partner Nadiya Bychkova, found themselves in the dance-off against Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones. Ultimately, the judges decided to send Tom home.

Both couples repeated their performances, with Tom and Nadiya showcasing a lively Cha Cha to the tune of Boogie Wonderland by Earth, while Toyah and Neil delivered a spirited Jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner. Following the routines, the judges cast their votes. Craig Revel Horwood opted to save Toyah and Neil, a decision echoed by Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

In the deciding vote, head judge Shirley Ballas also sided with saving Toyah and Neil, leading to Tom’s departure from the show. Reflecting on his experience, Tom shared, “I’ve had the best time over the past few weeks, and working with Nadiya has been amazing. I wish I could have progressed further and taken on more dances. I’ve truly enjoyed it, and I hope we can still meet for brunches moving forward.”

Nadiya praised Tom, stating, “Getting to know him has been wonderful. He’s not just a three-time Olympic champion; he’s a genuine gentleman. He taught me the importance of hard work and dedication. Sometimes, winning isn’t everything, and that’s how I feel about this journey.”

Viewers expressed their disappointment over Tom and Nadiya’s exit on social media, revealing a mix of emotions. One user expressed frustration, arguing that Toyah’s dance lacked a true Jive essence, while another stated Tom didn’t deserve to be the first eliminated and lamented the unfairness of the judges’ decision. However, some viewers supported the results, suggesting Toyah’s performance deserved another chance given the iconic nature of the song.

Strictly Come Dancing will resume next Saturday, October 5, starting at 6:25 PM on BBC One and available for streaming on BBC iPlayer. Be sure to follow the latest developments in the world of Strictly for more updates.