Eddie Kadi is fourth celeb booted off ‘Strictly Come Dancing’: ‘I just wanted my culture to shine!’

22 October 2023

Eddie Kadi is the fourth celebrity to depart the dancefloor on ‘Strictly Come Dancing 2023’.

Eddie Kadi is the fourth celebrity to depart the dancefloor on ‘Strictly Come Dancing 2023’

The comic, 40, and his professional dance partner Karen Hauer, 41, got the boot on Sunday (22.10.23) night’s results show after he faced former Love Islander Zara McDermott in the show’s dance off and losing out on the judges’ votes.

When asked by ‘Strictly’ co-host Tess Daly about his time on the show, Eddie said: “I’ve really enjoyed this, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do – I love dancing.

“This has been the highest moment of my career – it’s the happiest I’ve ever been, but not just for me – my family - my little baby girl is at home doing the ‘Men in Black’ dance.

“More importantly, this little African boy, I just wanted my culture to shine. “Everything I stand for, when it comes to my comedy, when it comes to my presenting, is based on my culture, is based on my upbringing and I wanted that to shine most importantly.

“Even more importantly this wonderful Queen (Karen), there are two parts to this show – we want to entertain, I believe that God has brought this to me, I just want to make people happy and this gem over here has kept me happy – I love you so much God bless you.”

Karen then said to Eddie: “You are a treasure, I’m going to miss you – well I’ll see you tomorrow!

“We’re going to take up Congolese dancing. I just want to thank you so much for being so positive and bringing such light and smiling, just a beauty to all of us, I want to thank you so much.”

Eddie and Karen Hauer performed their Samba to ‘Calm Down’ by Rema and Selena Gomez, while Zara and her dance partner Graziano Di Prima performed an American Smooth to ‘Can’t Fight the Moonlight’ by LeAnn Rimes in a bid to impress the voting public and judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas to remain in the competition.

Craig said about voting for Zara and Graziano: “For me the quality of dance in this couple was far superior and the couple I would like to save is Zara and Graziano.”

Motsi added about also going for the pair: “For me, it was extremely close. The quality was actually very, very close. It came down to details and I would love to save Zara and Graziano.”

Anton gave Zara his vote too, saying: “Well, I thought that was an excellent dance off. I thought both couples danced very, very well but for me with a slightly cleaner technique, I’d like to save Zara and Graziano.”

Head Judge Shirley agreed and said she would have decided to save Zara and Graziano.

With three votes in favour of Zara and Graziano, they won the majority vote meaning Eddie and Karen were out of the contest.

Sunday’s show also featured its professional dancers performing a 1960s Fosse-inspired number and a ‘Planet Earth III’-themed performance of ‘Pompeii’ from Bastille in the ballroom.

The remaining couples will take to the dancefloor next week when ‘Strictly’ returns for a Halloween special on Saturday 28 October at 6.40pm, with the results show the following night at 7.20pm on BBC One.

Both this weekend’s episodes are available to watch now via BBC iPlayer.

Eddie and Karen will also be joining Fleur East for their first exclusive televised interview live on ‘Strictly: It Takes Two’ on Monday 23 October at 6.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.