Sara Davies and her professional dance partner Aljaz Škorjanec became the seventh couple to be eliminated from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing after facing off against Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin in Sunday’s dance off.
Sara and Aljaz performed their Argentine Tango to No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) by Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand for the second time in a bid to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, Head Judge, Shirley Ballas.
Tilly and Nikita performed their Quickstep to I Won’t Dance by Damita Jo.
Dream is over: Sara Davies and her professional dance partner Aljaz Škorjanec became the seventh couple to be eliminated from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday
Craig chose to save Tilly and Nikita, explaining: ‘This is a really difficult decision because I gave both couples on Saturday night a 7.
‘So very, very equal which made the decision even more difficult, but I think for me, the couple that stood out a little bit more and had the edge – Tilly and Nikita.’
Motsi also chose to save Tilly and Nikita, saying: ‘Judging on this dance off, I have to say there were three factors that decided it for me; there were details, the nerves and a very strong competitor so I am saving Tilly and Nikita.’
Anton, too, saved Tilly and Nikita.
Dance off again: They faced off against Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin, who found themselves in the dance off again
Oh dear: The couples waited anxiously to see who would be saved
‘Well, I think if you were ever choosing to do Strictly Come Dancing, this is the year to avoid,’ he said delivering his verdict.
‘The standard is so high and either of these couples could have made it to the final any other year.
‘Based on this dance off and this dance off alone, which was so strong, I’m just going to give the edge to Tilly and Nikita.’
With three votes to Tilly and Nikita, it meant they had won the majority vote and would be leaving the competition regardless of head judge Shirley’s decision.
However, she confirmed she would have decided to save Tilly and Nikita, saying: ‘Yes, I would have saved Tilly and Nikita.’
Tango: Sara and Aljaz performed their Argentine Tango to No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) by Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand
Quickstep: Tilly and Nikita Kuzmin performed their Quickstep to I Won’t Dance by Damita Jo
When asked by co-presenter Tess Daly about their time on the show, Sara said: ‘I had no idea any of this was in me. It’s been a life changing experience and one I’ve loved every second of.’
When asked if he had any words for his partner, Aljaz sweetly noted: ‘I feel like from that day we met under the Angel of the North, I was so pleased to dance with you this season.’
He added: ‘Honestly, I wouldn’t want to dance with anybody else. You have been an absolute joy and a testament to hard work – not just on Strictly but with your business and you’re a beautiful mother.
Judges’ decision: All judges chose to save Tilly, with Craig Revel Horwood saying: ‘I think for me, the couple that stood out a little bit more and had the edge – Tilly and Nikita’
Motsi Mabuse said: ‘I am saving Tilly and Nikita’
‘Thank you for letting me spend so much time not just with you, but with the whole family, the Davies’s that are here tonight, all of the little ones at home.’
The dancer went on: ‘I’ve been so welcomed up North, it made me feel like I’m back home in Slovenia because everyone is so lovely and friendly.’
He concluded: ‘I’m going to miss you so much. I’m going to miss dancing with you. I’m going to miss everything about this show. Thank you everyone and thank you for supporting us.’
Sara responded: ‘[Aljaz] is one in a million. I tell him every day and this wouldn’t have been the experience it was, if it wasn’t for him.’
Sunday’s results show opened with an emotional dance from the professionals in honour of Remembrance Sunday.
There was also a music performance from James Blunt, who performed hit Goodbye My Lover.
Anton Du Beke added: ‘Based on this dance off and this dance off alone, which was so strong, I’m just going to give the edge to Tilly and Nikita’
Head judge Shirley Ballas said: ‘Yes, I would have saved Tilly and Nikita’
Final thoughts: When asked by co-presenter Tess Daly about their time on the show, Sara said: ‘I had no idea any of this was in me. It’s been a life changing experience and one I’ve loved every second of;
Elsewhere, Strictly contestants are convinced the show’s bosses have a hidden agenda to push their favourites into the final, The Mail on Sunday revealed.
According to rumours circulating on the show, BBC chiefs are keen for Tilly to make it to the end of the run, because they want to poach her father, celebrity chef Gordon, from ITV.
Some of the stars also claim producers are desperate for Strictly’s first ever all-male couple, John Waite and Johannes Radebe, to go all the way to the final.
It is thought that TV presenter AJ Odudu, who is paired with the show’s new professional dancer, Kai Widdrington, is another favourite with the suits.
Well-placed sources say a number of contestants who are floundering in the series believe the BBC has an ‘agenda’ and would be happiest if Waite and Radebe were the eventual winners.
Strictly bosses were said to be crestfallen last year when the first same-sex couple, Nicola Adams and Katya Jones, had to leave the competition after just four weeks when Jones tested positive for Covid.
One source said: ‘There’s a feeling that there’s some blatant favouritism going on here – that they are pushing Tilly to win, or at least get to the final, because they want to nick her dad.
‘Then you have the issue of the all-male couple, which is just the dream of certain people involved with the show for John and Johannes to pick up the glitterball. And as for AJ, she is adored.’
One source said: ‘There’s a feeling that there’s some blatant favouritism going on here – that they are pushing Tilly to win, or at least get to the final, because they want to nick her dad’