There were tears on Strictly Come Dancing as it was announced that Will Mellor had missed out on a place in the final. On Sunday night, the Stockport-born actor performed twice alongside professional dance partner Nancy Xu in a bid to get another step closer to the Glitterball trophy.
The Two Pints of Lager and Coronation Street star battled it out against singer and radio DJ Fleur East, 35, in the dreaded dance-off during Monday night's results show after they came bottom of the leaderboard based on the scores from the judges and public following the semi-final.
As Tess Daly revealed who was safe and therefore through to the 2022 final of the BBC One dance contest, the red light of doom ended up landing on Will and Nancy and Fleur and her dance partner Vito Coppola.
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Both couples had to perform again and having performed two routines in the semi-final, the bottom-two couples were asked to dance their favourite routine of the night again. Hits Radio host Fleur and Vitoopting for to redo their Charleston to Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano by Fiorello.
Will, meanwhile, and Nancy opted to perform their Couples’ Choice to a 90s Manchester-inspired medley after using the routine to close the semi-final. While Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood opted to save Fleur and Vito, Anton Du Beke shared his decision to save Will and Nancy which he sai was "due to an error in a dismount from a lift" from Fleur and Vito.
This therefore left the vote in Shirley Ballas' hands. She said: " First of all, the British public has spoken and with respect I take that on board. My fellow judges have decided that they don’t agree, so I have made lots of notes here, both couples were outstanding and not only today but through the series.
"I have loved both of them, this is by far, even for me Craig, the most difficult decision I feel I have had to make. Based on micro details, I have decided to save Fleur and Vito."
Tess asked Will if he had any final words, and the Two Pints of Lager star replied: "I have to thank you all for giving me this chance to put a smile on my mums face, she deserves it. I’ll take whatever I have learnt from this show forward in whatever I do because it shows you can achieve more than you think.
"I didn’t think I’d be able to get anywhere near this and I am so proud of what we have achieved but also everybody who has voted for me, who has supported me, the messages I’ve had from my local community and children. Thank you all so much, we really, really appreciated every bit."
When asked if she had any words for her partner, Nancy, who was left in tears, said: "I want to thank everyone who works on the show, it’s an incredible show, I’ve had such an amazing journey. The support from the whole team is just phenomenal. I’m proud of the partnership, we’ve had such an amazing journey together. I really wish I could make more memories with you and your family."
That means that Fleur and Vito, Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez, Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu, and Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał will fight for the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 title during the final which is in a matter of days.
Reacting to the news on Twitter, @man18united said: "Absolutely gutted my favourites @Mellor76 and @Nancy_xuxi have been voted out in the@bbcstrictly #Strictly Semi Final. I've enjoyed their fun Dancing partnership and what a lovely bond they have off the dancefloor too. Thank you, Will and Nancy!"
@saarahenys said: "Will and Nancy are always underscored. First time in the bottom 2!! #strictly." @AnthonyDearie wrote: "Really gutted to see Will leave #Strictly and miss out on a well-deserved final place - though I’d have been equally gutted to see Fleur go." @StrictlyScore added: "Aww I’m gutted for Will. He has brought such charisma to this series. What a great bloke! #Strictly."
The remaining four couples will take to the dancefloor for the final time as they bid to lift the Glitterball Trophy when Strictly Come Dancing: The Final will air live on Saturday 17th December at 7.15pm, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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