Strictly Come Dancing star Lacey Turner has opened up about a challenging week, days after fans raised concerns over her absence during a live show. The EastEnders actress is competing on the BBC dancing programme with professional partner Vito Coppola.
Weekend performance and score
The pair performed a Samba to Bamboléo by Gipsy Kings at the weekend. Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse awarded the routine 6 points, while Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke each gave 7, bringing the total to 26 points.
Following her routine in week three, viewers noticed Lacey was not in the Clauditorium later in the broadcast. One person posted on X: "Why are hardly any of the @bbcstrictly stars standing with their partners when JoJo is talking to couples?! Eg Vito standing by himself, where is Lacey?"
Viewer reactions and It Takes Two appearance
Another fan wrote: "Where did Lacey go? She okay?" A third asked: "Where is Lacey Turner, she danced first but she's not upstairs with this group now. Where has she gone?"
Lacey has not directly explained her absence, but she discussed the routine during an appearance on spin-off show It Takes Two on Tuesday, October 13. Presenter Ellie Taylor asked: "You opened the show. Was it nice to just get it done?"
Lacey replied: "Do you know, it was actually. It was nice to get it done, but it was so nerve-wracking going first." When Ellie said she could relax for the rest of the show, Lacey agreed: "Exactly, you can just be a viewer, which is lovely."
Reflecting on the Samba
Discussing the difficulties of the dance, Lacey said: "I got a wider shoe, apparently I've got wide feet! I think you could see I was terrified, I think it was there in my face."
She added: "To be honest, I found the Samba really difficult. It didn't go in like the others went in. I found it really technical, [there were] a lot of things to think about. But yeah, it did all sort of come together, and it was nice to have done it, tick [it off], and say goodbye."
Adele tribute ahead
Lacey and Vito will perform an American Smooth to Adele's 2008 song Hometown Glory during Icons Week. When Ellie asked how she was finding the style, Lacey said: "Yeah, I'm really enjoying it."
Ellie responded: "Oh my god, Lacey, I don't think you've ever said anything positive about a dance! Have you found your one?" Lacey joked: "Brace yourselves! I loved my Quickstep, I did love my Quickstep... It is [nice to be back in hold]. It's not slow, but it definitely feels different to the Samba, which is nice." She hinted at "lots of spins", including two solo spins.
The It Takes Two appearance came a day after news that Delta Goodrem would sit out Icons Week due to a rib injury. She will receive a pass to the following week, where she aims to return to the dance floor.
