Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison was the seventh star to be eliminated from the dancing competition. Vicky and her partner Kai Widdrington were revealed to be in the dance-off with Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon. This was the fourth time Balvinder has ended up in the bottom two.
Balvinder and Julian performed their American Smooth to My Guy by Mary Wells, before Vicky and Kai performed their Jive to Sound of the Underground by Girls Aloud.
However, despite being top of the leaderboard last week, Vicky suffered a huge blow as the judges all decided to vote to save Balvinder. Vicky said after hearing the news: “It was so lovely while it lasted, and I’ve had the nicest time. I knew this week was a difficult one for me, and I tried my hardest as I have every week. Listen, I didn’t think I’d get past week one. And I’m really honoured to have shared this experience with so many amazing people. Mostly with this fella [Kai] right here.
“I don’t want to sound too cheesy but [to Kai] you’ve been the best partner a girl can ask for. I’m so sorry I didn’t get you to Blackpool but I feel like I’ve won just by having you as my partner,” as she added: “I’m so grateful.”
She added: “I’ll miss everybody. I enjoyed it loads more than I thought I was going to. And I know I let my nerves get in the way – Shirley, you are right – and I will proper beat myself up over that. But I’ve never danced before sober and here I am – sober as a judge!”
Kai told her: “Oh, goodness me. Where do I start? You [to Vicky] are everything that this series is about. Strong, confident, independent – and all that I can say is, I have loved every single second. I’m going to be gutted not coming to Blackpool with you on Monday. But I just want you to know that I feel like I have also won getting you as my partner, and you will live on in Strictly history forever.”
Fans were not happy with the result, as one said: “Gutted! She had a bad week!!” as another agreed: “Slightly distraught with the result because you were a definite potential winner and a firm favourite of mine, but I hope you’re extremely proud of yourself.VickyPattison because you’ve done so amazing!!! we’re all proud of you lass!!”
A third raged: “Worst results show ever… having the dance off be bal vs vicky and to top it all off listening to olly murs ‘sing’.”
However, one fan said: “Vicky went completely wrong again in that dance off,” as another said: “Gutted for Vicky but that was the right result this week. Vicky has been a delight throughout this series.”
The remaining seven couples will take to the world-famous Tower Ballroom for Strictly Come Dancing’s Blackpool Specials next weekend on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 6.35pm on Saturday and 7:15pm on Sunday.