Actress Melanie Walters has broken her silence after becoming the second celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing.
The Gavin and Stacey star, 64, and her professional dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec, 36, went into a dance-off against former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and his partner Alexis Warr.
Judges' verdict divides viewers
After both couples performed their routines again, the judges delivered their verdicts on who they wanted to save. While Motsi Mabuse wanted to save Walters, fellow judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood all chose to save Wright-Phillips and Warr.
The decision divided viewers, with one writing afterwards: “Oh wow! I genuinely felt that Melanie was definitely the better dancer out of the two, she gave much more energy during that dance off. But hey ho.” Another added: “Agreed, I was shocked,” and a third posted: “She was robbed I swear.”
Walters thanks fans and partner
Speaking to host Emma Willis after getting voted out, Walters admitted: "To be honest, no truth of a lie, I thought I was going to be out last week." Her dance partner described the star as the "ultimate professional", adding: "You showed me what hard work really is and what it means."
Following her exit, Walters wrote on Instagram: "So sorry to be leaving the show. Huge thanks for all your support. All the luck and love to my fellow remaining contestants, and the biggest thanks of all to the beautiful soul and amazing teacher, @aljazskorjanec. Love you! It’s been a blast."
Her Gavin and Stacey co-star Joanna Page commented: “I’m so so proud of you!! Sad you’re leaving but you were beautiful, honest, heartfelt and looked flipping fab in the outfits!!! Love you!!!” Comedian Sarah Millican added, “Loved watching you,” and social media star John Nellis, who is the frontrunner to win, posted: “Loved spending time with you, see you soon.”
Weekend scores and performances
During Saturday’s show, Walters and her partner performed a Charleston routine to Gina G’s Ooh Ahh… Just A Little Bit, earning 17 points from the panel. Revel Horwood stated he "didn’t love" their performance, though Mabuse offered support and urged her to "keep going". Wright-Phillips and his partner Alexis Warr, meanwhile, received a score of 15 for their quickstep to I’m A Believer by The Monkees.
Sunday night’s episode also saw Ballas and Du Beke take to the floor as part of a special group performance, with two teams of professional dancers going head-to-head for glory in a ballroom vs Latin showdown. There was also a performance from musician Jalen Ngonda of his song Burning Temptation, accompanied by professional dancers Neil Jones and Lethabo Monametsi.
Walters' career and next week
Walters is best known for playing Gwen West in Gavin and Stacey – which she appeared in from its launch in 2007 and then reprised her role for the “epic” 2024 Christmas special. Her television work also includes roles in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff And Chip, and Doc Martin, while her film credits include Submarine, Resistance, High Tide and Save The Cinema. On stage, she has appeared in productions such as The Importance Of Being Earnest, Blood Brothers, Twelfth Night, Educating Rita and What’s New Pussycat?.
During the first week of the contest, the Welsh actress received a score of 15 for her cha cha cha, also being given the same score the following week while performing a waltz to Edelweiss from The Sound of Music during Movie Week. The remaining 13 couples will take to the dancefloor next week for icons week. Strictly Come Dancing returns at 6.15pm Saturday on BBC One.
