Strictly Come Dancing 2023 LIVE — Stars pay tribute to Amanda Abbington as Zara McDermott axed in tense dance-off
ZARA and Graziano said goodbye to this year's competition after being voted off by the public in the Halloween special.
The Strictly Come Dancing elimination saw Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima take on Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk.
This comes after a week when one of the show's cast quit the competition.
Amanda Abbington announced her departure from the show in a touching statement, after missing week five on medical grounds.
And during the Halloween special, hosts Tess and Claudia paid tribute to the star as they said: "Now earlier this week Amanda Abbington withdrew from the competition. We are sending you all our love.”
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
Zara’s farewell
While saying goodabye, Zara McDermott told Tess: “I’ve had the time of my life. I’ve wanted to do Strictly since childhood, so just to be here is incredible.
"Thank you to the judges and my amazing partner, obviously. My fellow contestants are just incredible.
"It’s been the most amazing experience. I can’t believe it’s over but I’m going to be here in spirit every week supporting them.”
Zara is eliminated
Jeepers Creepers
Adam & Luba's Magic moments
Who's safe?
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington, Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin, Nigel Harman and Katya Jones, Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima.
The 80's legend is killing it
Here comes Rick Astley
Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk will perform in the dance-off
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley will also be back
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe also return
Angela & Carlos first couple through
Adams Family dance kicks off tonight's elimination show
Here we go!
Time to find out who leaves Strictly tonight.
Check out Shirley Ballas' sexiest photoshoot ever
Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas has turned heads in one of her sexiest ever photoshoots.
Earlier this year, Shirley described what she experienced as “out-of-control abuse”, which descended into cruel jibes about her appearance.
Adam: ‘Strictly has been therapy for me’
Adam Thomas said the Strictly Come Dancing experience helped him find inner confidence and shake off self-doubt.
The actor, who played Adam Barton in Emmerdale and most recently reprised his role as Donte Charles in Waterloo Road, said training and performing on the BBC One live show with partner Luba Mushtuk has been an “incredible journey”.
“It’s been a little bit of therapy for me doing this show, it really has,” Thomas said.
“I’ve found a bit more self-confidence within myself, I felt like I struggled with that beforehand… which is probably the best thing to come out of this show for me.
“I doubted myself quite a bit going into this show, I never really thought about how much I did doubt myself.
“Just because I haven’t done it before doesn’t mean I can’t do it and I just feel like I’ve just found an inner confidence.”
Which couples are still in it to win it?
The stars and their professional dance partners left competing in Strictly Come Dancing are:
- Actor and model Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell
- New anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley
- Actress Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
- Actress Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
- Tennis ace Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
- Actor Nigel Harman and Katya Jones
- Love Island‘s Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima
- News anchor Angela Rippon and Kai Widdington
- TV presenter Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu
- Actor Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk
When Rose Ayling-Ellis won Strictly
Rose Ayling-Ellis captured the nation’s heart alongside partner Giovanni Pernice in 2021.
The pair won the show and scooped the Glitterball trophy.
Rose’s win was praised by The National Deaf Children’s Society.
Susan Daniels OBE, the society’s Chief Executive, said: “Congratulations to Rose and Giovanni on winning the Glitterball Trophy and for giving us such inspirational entertainment during your time on Strictly.
“It’s hard to overstate just what an impact Rose has made, not only on deaf children and young people, but also on the public’s understanding of deafness.
“Throughout her Strictly journey, she’s been a shining example to deaf and hearing people alike. This could be a new dawn for deaf children and young people everywhere because it’s clear for all to see that with the right support and the will to succeed, they can aim for the stars.
“Strictly may have come to an end, but we sincerely hope that this surge of interest in deafness and the desire to engage with deaf people continues long into the future.”
What to expect on tonight's Strictly
As well as the usual dance-off and elimination, there are a number of treats to tune in for.
Strictly Come Dancing's professional dancers will do an Adam's Family-inspired routine.
While '80s legend Rick Astley will also be performing!
Credit: PA Layton Williams brushes off criticism
Layton Williams shrugged off claims he has an unfair advantage on Strictly Come Dancing due to his previous stage performances as a dancer.
Layton, who starred on stage as Billy Elliot at 12 and later rose to prominence on the BBC comedy Bad Education, says he doesn’t agree with criticisms that he has an advantage over his fellow competitors due to his experience in musicals and theatre.
“I’ve taken it on the chin. I get what everyone’s saying,” he told The Guardian. “But if you could be a fly on the wall in this rehearsal room, it’s not easy for me.”
,Credit: Splash Talk show presenter claims he will join Strictly 2024
A British TV stalwart sensationally claimed he is set to join next year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Jeremy Kyle made the revelation as he chatted to Shirley Ballas on TalkTV‘s breakfast programme Talk Today, which he co-hosts alongside Nicola Thorp.
Jeremy, 58, admitted that if the price was right he would give the BBC ballroom contest a go — leaving Shirley overjoyed.
Making the admission, the star said: “I’ll do it if they offer me enough money. There, I’ve said it.”
Credit: Dan Charity Bobby Brazier's modelling career
Bobby Brazier his modelling career in 2019 and has since been in demand.
Bobby made his mark on the fashion world after walking for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week.
Then in early 2020, Bobby walked the red carpet at the prestigious Tommy Hilfiger event at London Fashion Week.
He previously revealed that he stumbled into the industry by chance after getting into trouble at school.
In an Instagram Q&A, he explained that he had a meeting at school after acting up, adding: “So before I go, I go Costa for a little prep talk with my dad and then when we leave @cesarpin is chasing me down the street asking me if I’m a model.”
Cesar Perin is the model scout who signed Bobby to agency Unsigned Group.
What time is Strictly on tonight?
Strictly Come Dancing is back tonight, with another evening of glitz, glamour and dance.
The iconic dance competition returns for the results show of the Halloween special.
Don’t miss the action on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7.20pm.
Meet Strictly dancer Nikita Kuzmin’s girlfriend Lauren Jaine
Lauren is a university graduate and an aspiring model.
Jaine is signed with London’s First management, who also represent a string of famous faces including Selling Sunset‘s Davina Potratz.
She shot to fame in 2023 when she was spotted sharing a sweet moment with Strictly star Nikita Kuzmin after a live show.
And in October 2023, it was revealed that Nikita had found love with Lauren Jaine.
The pair were spotted stepping out together at various events — one of which was The Tina Turner Musical Gala, also attended by Strictly star Layton Williams.
Since finding romance, the couple jetted off to Croatia, with Lauren sharing snaps of them on the plane and beach.
They have also enjoyed a string of dates together in London.
Nikita then confirmed the romance on Instagram, with lots of loved-up selfies.
Strictly dancer splits from partner
Strictly dancer Katya Jones has split from property mogul and ex-footie player William Abbotts.
A source close to the Russian-born star, 34, who is paired with actor Nigel Harman, 50, said: “The union ran its course.
“Katya is single and focusing on the dance competition.
“She knows she has a strong chance of making it to the final this year.
“She doesn’t want any distractions.”
Earlier this month, we reported that Nigel and Katya enjoyed a break from their gruelling training session for a spot of downtime in the park.
Giovanni fuels feud rumours by ‘ignoring’ Amanda Abbington’s exit
Strictly Come Dancing pro Giovanni Pernice fueled rumours of a feud with Amanda Abbington after “ignoring” her exit from the show.
The Italian dancer failed to ‘like’ or comment on the post, fuelling feud rumours between the pair.
While many other celebrities and professionals sent their best wishes, Giovanni was notably absent following their sudden withdrawal from the competition yesterday.
Amanda missed the weekend’s shows for “undisclosed medical reasons”.