BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans 'heartbroken' as star sent home following tense dance-off

Strictly: Nick Knowles dances Charleston after knee injury

Strictly Come Dancing's results show aired tonight, seeing another celebrity contestant leave the dance floor after a nail-biting dance-off.

Last week, we saw singer Toyah Willcox say her goodbyes to the BBC series, having faced off in the bottom two with dance partner Neil Jones against Paul Merson and Karen Hauer.

The previous episode also witnessed three-time Olympic champion Tom Dean and his professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova being the first couple to be voted out of the competition.

Now, the most recent pair has had to hang up their dancing shoes following last night's show, which saw Love Island's Tasha Ghouri and partner Aljaz Skorjanec top the leaderboard.

The dances that scored the lowest were Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk's eagerly anticipated Movie Week Charleston, which earned them 21 points, and Dr Punam Krishnan and Gorka Marquez's Jive, which put them in last place with 20 points.

Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk returned on Saturday (Image: BBC)

However, it was Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu who joined Nick and Luba in the dreaded dance-off, confirming the DIY SOS star's departure.

Shayne and Nancy were positioned in the middle of the leaderboard for their Cha Cha, so it was not surprising when the judges unanimously voted for them to remain in the competition.

Upon hearing the judges' decision to send him home, Nick said: "I've really been surprised by how much I've loved doing it."

He went on to explain: "Two things happen: one, is how much you care each week, and the other is how much you don't want to let down your partner.

"The only reason I could do this this evening was because of Luba's changes."

Summing up his partnership with Luba on the show and the way she was able to adapt to his injury in three words, he stated: "She did amazing."

Luba went on to praise Nick's "determination" as she held back tears and told him: "Thank you."

Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu made it through to next week (Image: BBC)

Some fans felt Nick's elimination was particularly "heartbreaking", considering that the star had only just returned to the competition following a serious injury.

One wrote: "Heartbroken for @MrNickKnowles & Luba. He's had the worst luck in this competition. Getting 2 injuries but coming back stronger full of determination and not wanting to give up. Nick is what this show is all about! You've made your son proud." (sic)

Another added: "Feel a bit sorry for Nick and Luba as suspect had they done that dance on movie week as planned it may have all been different #strictly though not sure who would have left instead." (sic)

"I can’t help but feel bad for nick. having an injury and not being able to compete last weekend, to coming back and losing the dance off this week. but i’m glad he got to perform it the right way and didn’t let the injury make him leave last week," one more penned. (sic)

While other fans felt the outcome was fair, with one writing: "Nick eliminated from #Strictly I do wonder if having a that week off didn’t help him. Didn’t he have 2 injuries in his time there. I wouldn’t say he is the worst dancer in the competition BUT it wasn’t his night last night." (sic)

The future of the DIY expert on the show was uncertain ahead of Saturday's live performance, as he was unsure if doctors would give him the green light to return to the dance floor.

His latest mishap resulted in him being on crutches and missing out on Movie Week last weekend, leading to his comeback with the Rain On The Roof routine from Paddington 2 with Luba last night.

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Nick's accident happened during the dress rehearsal last week when he fell from a jump, injuring his knee.

To add to his woes, Nick had also previously injured his shoulder away from rehearsals while simply changing a car tyre.

Despite managing to push through that week's dance, he was compelled to wear a sling for several training sessions.

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Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday at 6.25pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans 'heartbroken' as star sent home following tense dance-off

BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans 'heartbroken' as star sent home following tense dance-off

BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans 'heartbroken' as star sent home following tense dance-off

BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans 'heartbroken' as star sent home following tense dance-off

BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans 'heartbroken' as star sent home following tense dance-off