AJ Odudu, who had to withdraw from the Strictly Come Dancing Final due to a foot injury, couldn’t control his emotions on Saturday night.
Sitting alongside professional partner Kai Widdrington, 26, the 33-year-old presenter, who suffered ligament damage to her foot during rehearsals this week, emotionally reflected on her experience to Strictly host Claudia Winkleman.
Claudia: “Honestly Claudia, it’s hard to put into words what it’s like to be brokenhearted.” She said it was, but she didn’t stop there.
Strictly Come dancing FINAL: Kai Widdrington and AJ Odudu, who were both heartbroken by the decision to withdraw from Saturday’s final because of Kai’s foot injury, broke down with Kai Widdrington.
The TV Star continued, “But we’ve had the best times on this show, and you all know that I have put on brave faces, Kai has also been putting out brave faces.
“We loved tonight’s show. Giovanni, John, Rose and John are all amazing. We wanted to join them on the dance floor.
“While we’re still in tears, I feel so content. To be here is truly a blessing. I am so grateful for all the amazing dances that I have performed, all of my learnings and all the wonderful people who have come to visit me. [I]The best outfits I’ve ever seen!
Sad: Sitting alongside professional partner Kai, 26, the 33-year-old presenter emotionally reflected on her experience to Strictly host Claudia Winkleman
AJ and Kai were at the center of romance rumours throughout the series and Kai used this time to give a sincere tribute to him and their ‘unbreakable connection’
Kai was the best thing that happened to me. The greatest joy in learning to dance is that we can say, “Dance like it’s your last.”
“And that was the best thing we could have done. We didn’t realize that we were dancing our last dance. It was not something we knew. We didn’t.
Experience: AJ and Kai have been at the heart of romance rumours during the course of the show and the TV star used the time to pay a heartfelt tribute to him
Claudia, still choked up, praised Kai for his Strictly debut.
“This girl outdoes herself every week,” replied the choreographer. Each week, I am the luckiest woman to come in to the training room. Even through the failures we have had, she has always been the strongest woman I’ve ever met.
“She made my first season of Strictly an unforgettable experience and will forever hold a special place in my heart.” We weren’t able to get to dance this evening, but she sure looks the part.
Staying positive: A choked up Claudia also praised a stoic Kai, who made his Strictly debut this year
Sweet: Although we didn’t have the chance to dance tonight (my God! ), she looked the part. “We didn’t get the chance to dance tonight, but my God does she look the part!” exclaimed Sweet.
WINNER! Rose Ayling Ellis, EastEnders’ deaf actress, won the gold as she took home the crown of Strictly Come Dancing’s winner after taking on John Whaite in what was the largest final in show’s 17 year history.
EastEnders’ deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice lifted the glitterball as she was crowned winner of Strictly Come Dancing after competing against John Whaite in the most diverse final in the show’s 17-year history.
It was the viewers who voted after Rose (27) and John (32). The series’ finale in 2021 was a thrilling one. Johannes Radebe was the male partner in the first ever male sexual partnership. The pair were tied at the top of the leaderboard. Judges praised them both for their “groundbreaking” roles during the competition.
Rose, who was named the winner of Strictly 20,21, said to Giovanni: ‘I just wanna say that you are so awesome. Your belief in me helped me believe more in myself than I do in myself. Not only are you an amazing teacher but also a great friend.
“We’ve been through many things, but I just wanted to let you know that I’m still here for you, regardless of how busy you get. It’s true.
A teary-eyed Giovanni also revelled in their success on the BBC show as he scored his first win since he joined Strictly seven years ago.
Gracious runnerup: It was a nail-biting finish to the series 2021 after judges gave their highest praises for both of them because they played ‘groundbreaking role’ during the competition.