BBC Strictly Come Dancing star says 'you don't need to win' after first exit of 2024 series

Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova said 'You don't need to win' as she became the first to bow out of the competition alongside her celebrity dance partner Tom Dean.

The Olympic swimmer and the professional dancer become the first couple to be eliminated from the competition this year following a dance-off against Toyah Wilcox and Neil Jones during the first results show of the series on Sunday night (September 29).

Both couples performed their routines from Saturday night (September 28) again, with Tom and Nadiya performing their Cha Cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire then singer Toyah and Neil performed their Jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner.

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After both couples danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts: Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Toyah and Neil, Motsi Mabuse chose to save Toyah and Neil and Anton Du Beke chose to save Tom and Nadiya.

With two votes for Toyah and Neil, and one vote for Tom and Nadiya, Head Judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and chose to save Toyah and Neil.

When asked by Tess about his time on the show, Tom said: "I’ve had the best time the last few weeks and getting to work with Nadiya has been incredible. I wish I could have gone further and done more dances. I’ve had the most fun and I wish we could keep going longer and longer. We’ll still go out for loads of brunches I’m sure."

Tom’s professional dance partner Nadiya added: "To get to know him, he’s not just a three-time Olympic champion he’s a true gentleman and he taught me how to work really hard and how to put everything in. And you know what? On this programme, sometimes to win,