Chris Appleton broke down in tears as he addressed his early exit from Strictly Come Dancing during an appearance on Monday's It Takes Two.
The celebrity hairdresser, 43, who is best known for working with megastars like Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, and Jennifer Lopez, had been taking part in the BBC Saturday night favourite with professional partner Amy Dowden, but the pair did not make it past Movie Week without being sent home.
Emotional farewell on It Takes Two
During the appearance with host Ellie Taylor, Chris and Amy were shown a selection of his best bits from the show and the star quickly became emotional. Through tears, he said: "Why did you have to show that? Oh my God, it's just been a phenomenal experience."
He added: "I said to my kids...I can't even talk...just challenge yourself and do it anyway. I'd literally go out there shaking and there's times I didn't know if I could do it but I did it and I would just look at Amy and see her smiling and knew she was with me."
"It says so much about the show, all of the cast and the people behind the scenes who don't get a mention. You do need that because it's such a phenomenal one and if you're lucky enough to do it, jump at it."
Dance off and elimination
In the dance off, Chris and Amy performed their Cha Cha to I'll Be Ready from Baywatch, before actress Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu performed their Cha Cha to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman. The judges voted unanimously to save Jaime, meaning she will be back next weekend.
Chris had said earlier in the weekend he didn't want to let his partner Amy down. He said: "I am really trying but also really enjoying it." But his cha cha managed just 17 points from the judges and in week one he got just 15, amongst the lowest scores in the competition.
Reflecting on the experience
After his elimination, Chris said: "I think it's been such a whirlwind of emotion. I'm 43 and I got good at doing what I did – which is hair. To come and do something like this, I felt so out of my comfort zone and saw myself in a way I never saw myself, and it challenged me in ways I never knew I could be challenged.
"I am very grateful for everyone who has been involved. It's been so amazing to be part of something that I grew up watching and got to be a part of it.
"The most important thing I think I will take from this show is having a friend in Amy because I genuinely love her and I am so grateful I met someone who has so much heart and passion.
"I only wish I could have done better for her because she deserves to go further in the competition, but we did put everything into it."
