Couple eliminated week before Strictly Come Dancing heads to Blackpool

The Big Brother presenter, 41, and his professional dance partner, 37, repeated their paso doble to Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat on Sunday’s results show after scoring 27 on Saturday’s live show.

They were left at the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard alongside Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley, and Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola, before public votes were counted.

In the dance-off, Best and Buswell faced actress Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu, who had been third on the leaderboard after the judges gave their Charleston to I Can’t Do It Alone by Catherine Zeta-Jones a score of 33.

Will Best has become the latest celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing (Guy Levy/BBC)

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After both couples had danced again, judge Motsi Mabuse chose to save Winstone and Gu, as did head judge Shirley Ballas, while Anton Du Beke voted to keep Best and Buswell.

However, Craig Revel Horwood also voted to save Winstone and Gu and send then through to Blackpool.

Best was told by Ballas on Saturday’s live show that he was one of the programme’s “most consistent” dancers.

However, Revel Horwood called the routine “plonky”.

Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby topped the judges leaderboard in week eight

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The professional dancers perform a romantasy-inspired group number on Sunday’s results show, which featured the voice of The Traitors US host Alan Cumming.

Celebrity Traitors winner Sebastian “Bash” Croft performed his new single, Everything Always Now, accompanied by a routine from dancers Julian Caillon and Jowita Przystal.

Best has presented shows for Channel 4, ITV and the BBC and in 2023 began co-hosting the ITV revival of Big Brother alongside AJ Odudu, herself a Strictly contestant in 2021. They hosted a Celebrity Big Brother spin-off in 2024.

Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu survived in this week’s dance-off

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He is also a presenter on Hits Radio and last month became a father to Sonny with his partner Tobi Rose.

Best and Buswell will join Ellie Taylor on Strictly – It Takes Two on Monday at 6.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Strictly Come Dancing continues with is Blackpool Tower Ballroom special on Saturday at 6.35pm on BBC One.