STRICTLY fans were left shocked tonight as veteran entertainer Les Dennis was the first celebrity to be sent home.
The Family Fortunes star, 69, failed to charm viewers last night with his sailor-themed Samba.
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Les Dennis and Nancy Xu were eliminated from StrictlyCredit: PA
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Les gave an emotional speech before the last dance with NancyCredit: BBC
The Hues Corporation’s lackluster Rock the Boat routine picked up just 15 points from the judges and was savaged by viewers at home.
Craig Revel Horwood didn’t hold back, telling the star: “You took the basics to a whole new level. It looked like you were limping with a broken ankle.”
Joining Les in the bottom two on tonight’s results show was BBC Asia Network DJ Nikita Kanda, 28.
She and pro partner Gorka Marquez fared only slightly better, scoring an average of 18 points for their Charleston over Beyoncé’s Single Ladies.
Although Les was obviously never going to win the Glitterball, viewers felt that his celebrity status would help him survive at least the first few weeks.
One wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Wooooooah I’m totally surprised. I honestly thought it was going to be around for weeks.”
Another posted: “I’m quite surprised as I thought the public would like it considering we’ve had dance groups like Les in the past like Tony Adams and Ed Balls.”
A third said: “Blimey. For once the public doesn’t hold a clown unfairly!”
The judges unanimously voted to save Nikita.
An emotional Les said afterwards: “I had the best time. This lady [Nancy] he was an amazing, great teacher. She really bothered me…”
He added: “I really appreciate and understand the referees’ point of view, absolutely.
– I hope I had fun, that’s why I came.
He finished by thanking hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman and the rest of the Strictly team.
Nancy called it a “short but sweet trip” and told Les, “I have a lot of respect for you.”
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Nikita Kanda survived the first dance Credits: PA
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Nikita was naturally disappointed to find herself in the bottom two.Credit: BBC
Categories: Optical Illusion
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