Richie Anderson became emotional as he spoke out on his "incredible" experience on Strictly Come Dancing. The TV and radio personality held back tears and struggled to get his words out during his first interview since being eliminated from the BBC One dance contest.
He appeared on Strictly's It Takes Two on Monday evening (October 11) alongside his professional dance partner Richie Anderson. The pair were one of two same-sex couples on the 20th series of the hit competition but landed in the dreaded dance-off on Sunday following their fun-filled samba inspired by The Lion King.
They had to perform their routine to Hakuna Matata while dressed as meerkat Timon and warthog Pumbaa as they went up against Fleur East and Vito Coppola who re-performed their American smooth to Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid following Saturday night's Movie Week special.
But sadly it was BBC Radio 2's Richie and reigning champion Giovanni who lost their place on the show. Appearing on spin-off It Takes Two Richie said: "I’m just so proud that I have met some incredible…" before turning to his professional partner for support as he became overwhelmed with emotion.
His response prompted cheers of support from co-host Rylan Clark and the crew behind the cameras. Richie said of his latest performance: "You always know, going into the studio on a Saturday night, that it could be the last time. Every dance I have done, it might not have been technically perfect, but I have gone out there and given it some welly, and given it 110%.
"And all you can do Rylan, is hope it’s enough, and as you can see from Saturday night and Sunday night, you can never be too sure. But I have just had the most amazing time."
On being in the bottom two against Fleur, Giovanni commented: "It’s not a nice position to be in, but in general, this competition, everyone is amazing this year. Fleur is fantastic, as is Vito (Coppola, her dancer partner), you don’t want to be in that position no matter who with. Unfortunately, we had a samba, and they did a fantastic dance. I wouldn’t have wanted to be a judge in that position, it was difficult."
Giovanni, 34, then added of Richie: "I am proud, you should have seen the effort he put in the room each day, he really wanted to get it right. I am so glad he got to do this experience, and maybe he can come back for the Christmas special?!" Richie showed his sparkling humour and joked that Gio's words were a 'verbal contract'.
But viewers watching the latest It Takes Two at home couldn't help but make the same observation. @RantyAlex tweeted: "The tension is off the scale. Awkward between Richie and Gio. #ItTakesTwo." @KirstyAPalmer said: "This is absolutely the most awkward #ItTakesTwo interview ever."
@Dd1201Diane agreed: "Yeah thought it was just me but Giovanni didn't look comfortable and not as gutted to be eliminated as they normally are." @VicsterLS remarked: "…cuts atmosphere with a knife … #ItTakesTwo."
But that wasn't all they noticed. @RyanGSoapKing11 said: "The curse of the Samba and it struck last night for Richie and Giovanni #ItTakesTwo." @DebbieBlackma14 added: "I just realized that @richie_anderson and @pernicegiovann1 went out on a Samba. Cursed dance I say cursed #ItTakesTwo #Strictly."
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