Les Dennis is first celebrity to get boot from ‘Strictly Come Dancing 2023’: ‘I really got put through my paces!’

1 October 2023

Les Dennis is the first celebrity to depart the dancefloor in ‘Strictly Come Dancing 2023’.

Les Dennis is the first celebrity to depart the dancefloor in ‘Strictly Come Dancing 2023’

Last Saturday’s first live episode of the series saw all the show’s couples take to the dancefloor for the first time with no public vote – but this weekend the judges’ latest scores were added to those from the opening show and combined with the results of the viewers’ votes to decide the lowest scoring two couples who would face the dance off.

TV host Les, 59, went head-to-head with radio presenter Nikita Kanda, 28, with both couples again performing their routines.

Nikita Kanda and her dance partner Gorka Márquez performed their Charleston to ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)’ by Beyoncé, while Les and his dance partner Nancy Xu did the Samba to ‘Rock the Boat’ by Hues Corporation.

With three votes in favour of Nikita and Gorka, they won the majority vote with Les and Nancy exiting on Sunday (01.10.23) night’s results show.

When asked by how Tess Daly about his and Nancy’s time on the show, Les said: “I’ve had the best time, this lady has been amazing, a great teacher, she’s really put me through my paces.”

He added to Nancy: “I did as well as I could for you, I hope!... I really appreciate and understand the judge’s point of view, thank you so much.”

Les told head judge Shirley Ballas he was thankful “for giving me a 10 for entertainment”, adding: “I hope I’ve entertained, that’s what I came here for. Strictly is the best and the people who put this on, you’re just all amazing!”

Nancy told Tess when asked how it had it been teaching in the training room with her partner Les: “It’s been a journey. This is such a short but a sweet journey.

“A lot of challenges we all know, but to see (Les) every day improve (himself), I respect you so, so much.

“I just want to say thank you to the judges and all my fellow friends. Thank you ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ for all of your support. Thank you Les.”

Tess was joined by co-host Claudia Winkleman for the second live show as the couples tried to dazzle judges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and head judge, Shirley Ballas.

After Les and Nikita’s dance off, Craig chose to save Nikita and Gorka, as did Motsi, who said: “Both couples danced better in the dance off. One couple was extremely better in the dance off. I will save Nikita and Gorka.”

Explaining why he also chose to save Nikita and Gorka, Anton said: “I thought it was a competition of two couples on performance alone and who could really nail their performance.

“I think the couple who did the best job were Nikita and Gorka.”

Sunday’s show also featured a routine from its professional dancers who moved to a medley in tribute to the late Tina Turner.

There was also a guest musical performance from singer songwriter Jorja Smith who sang her tune ‘Try Me’.

The remaining fourteen couples will take to the dancefloor next week for a ‘Movie Week Special’ when ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ returns on Saturday 7 October at 6.20pm on BBC One, with the results show the next night at 7.15pm on the channel.