Reality TV star Vicky Pattison has become the latest celebrity to hang up her dancing shoes, making a tearful exit from BBC's Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday night. The Geordie Shore personality and her professional partner Kai Widdrington found themselves in the dreaded dance-off against EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon.
The Fateful Dance-Off
Both couples performed their routines once more in a bid to save their place in the competition. Sopal and Caillon delivered their American smooth to Mary Wells' classic "My Guy", while Pattison and Widdrington reprised their jive to Girls Aloud's "Sound of the Underground".
In a unanimous decision, the judges chose to save Sopal and Caillon, who have now survived three dance-offs throughout the series. The outcome marked a dramatic fall from grace for Pattison, who had topped the leaderboard just the previous week.
From Leaderboard High to Elimination Low
Pattison's elimination comes as a particular surprise given her stellar performance the previous week, where she earned a near-perfect score of 39 for her tango to Taylor Swift's "Fate of Ophelia". However, Saturday night's live show saw her fortunes change dramatically when she received a score of just 27 for her jive.
The former I'm A Celebrity winner admitted that nerves had affected her performance, echoing comments made by head judge Shirley Ballas. "I let my nerves get in the way this week," Pattison confessed during her emotional exit interview.
Emotional Farewells and Looking Ahead
Reflecting on her Strictly journey, Pattison remained positive despite her disappointment. "Listen, I didn't think I'd get past week one," she said. "And I'm really honoured to have shared this experience with so many amazing people."
She paid a particularly touching tribute to her professional partner, telling Widdrington: "I don't want to sound too cheesy but you've been the best partner a girl can ask for. I'm so sorry I didn't get you to Blackpool but I feel like I've won just by having you as my partner and I'm so grateful."
Widdrington returned the compliment, praising Pattison as "everything this series is about – strong, confident, independent". He added: "I'm going to be gutted not coming to Blackpool with you on Monday. But I just want you to know that I feel like I have also won getting you as my partner, and you will live on in Strictly history forever."
Pattison follows in the footsteps of athlete Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who left the competition the previous week. Other eliminated celebrities include former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, model Ellie Goldstein and former rugby union player Chris Robshaw.
The competition continues to heat up as the remaining seven couples prepare for the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom next weekend. During Saturday's show, Love Island star Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin topped the leaderboard with an impressive 38 points for their dramatic paso doble to Aerosmith's "Dream On".
Other high scorers included Lewis Cope and Katya Jones, who earned 37 points for their tango, and Alex Kingston with Johannes Radebe, who scored a strong 35 for their waltz.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One this Saturday at 6.35pm, with the much-anticipated Blackpool special promising more glittering performances and surprises.
