Dan Walker paid tribute on Sunday to Nadiya Bychkova, his ballroom partner. He became the tenth competitor to be eliminated after facing AJ Odudu.
Both performed again, with Dan and Nadiya dancing their Tango to Santa Maria by Gotan Project before AJ and her partner Kai Widdrington’s Salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine.
The judges gave their verdicts after both dance partners had performed a second performance. Kai and AJ won the favoritism vote.
Farewell: Dan Walker paid tribute to ballroom partner Nadiya Bychkova on Sunday as he became the tenth contestant to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing
Craig Revel Horwood said: ‘Well I’ve got to say, Dan I think you did such a great job in the dance off, that’s the best I’ve ever seen you dance, ever!
AJ, this was a great last sentence. It is a real dilemma. But, the couple that I want to save are Kai and AJ.
Motsi Mabuse also saved AJ & Kai and told the couple: ‘Well another strong dancing off. It’s just an amazing year and to be part of the team I think is absolutely sensational.
One last time: Dan and Nadiya performed their Tango to Santa Maria by Gotan Project, but it wasn’t enough to save them from elimination
Emotional: Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya appeared to hold back tears as she left Elstree Studios on Saturday evening
Gloomy: Dan appeared to be downcast as he was driven home from the show’s quarter final on Saturday night
‘Dan you did a great job, AJ you did, for me, the better job, and I’m saving AJ and Kai.’
In agreement, Anton du Beke added: ‘Can I just say, it’s a thing to make the quarter finals of Strictly Come Dancing, and to pick this year of all years, to make the quarter finals would have guaranteed you a place in the final in any other year.
It was truly an amazing danceoff, congrats to all of you. Although you danced beautifully, the edge goes to Kai and AJ.
Here we go again: AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington’s Salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine helped them win the dance-off
It meant that they had received three votes from Kai and AJ, which means Dan and Nadiya have won the majority vote.
Shirley Ballas Head Judge stated that she would agree with her fellow judges to save Kai and AJ.
Tess asked Dan about his time on the show. He said he was in agreement with the judges, but credited Nadiya as the one who coaxed him from his shell.
Well done: After both couples had danced a second time the judges delivered their verdicts, with the vote swinging favourably towards AJ and Kai
He stated, “By the Way I Would Have Saved AJ And Kai As Well!” The last 11 weeks have been absolutely amazing, I’ve genuinely loved every second of it. When I go back to the first day when I was asked to dance in front of some glitter balls, at that point, if there had been a fire exit, I’d have just walked away.
“But, this incredible woman grabbed my hand and took me onto the dance floor. I’m not a dancer, but she showed me that I can dance, and that for me, this has been an absolutely incredible experience.’
He also said: “Thank you judges, your feedback each week was brilliant, constructive and very helpful. Everyone over there and my fellow competitors have been amazing.
Humble: Dan admitted he agreed with the judges’ decision while crediting dance partner Nadiya for coaxing him out of his shell
‘The four people left are so good, as you say, the standard has been amazing, it’s been a pleasure for me to watch them dance each week, and thank you to all the pros for being so kind, caring and encouraging.
‘Plus everyone who works on this programme, it’s a pleasure to be a part of a show that means so much to so many people.’
Turning to Nadiya, he said: ‘I also want to mention this amazing woman next to me, there are some people who walk into your life and turn some lights on, and that’s what she has done to me. You’re an amazing person, and if you’ll have me, you’ll have a friend for life Nadiya Bychkova.’
Close bond: Nadiya admitted the BBC presenter had walked into her life at ‘the right time’ (pictured dancing during Saturday evening’s show)
Nadiya then was asked to if there were any words she could say for Dan.
She said: ‘Sometimes the right person walks into your life at the right time and that’s what happened. Your encouragement is always appreciated, and you make time to help everyone. It inspires me daily to become a better person. Thank you.”
After watching their best bits, Dan said: ‘I’ve loved it, I don’t think ill dance all the time, but the one thing that will be different, is that I won’t not dance anymore. So thank you for having me, it’s been brilliant!’
The rest of the couples will dance on the Strictly Come Dancing semi finals at 7:05 on Saturday, 11/12/12. Results show on Sunday at 7/20 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.