Strictly Come Dancing contestant Bethany Antonia has spoken about her departure from the BBC show, breaking down in tears during an It Takes Two appearance. The Game of Thrones star and her professional partner Nancy Xu faced Love Island's Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby in the dance-off last weekend.
Following their second performance of the Foxtrot to Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis, the judges were divided, with head judge Shirley Ballas opting to save Cach and Maddie.
Emotional It Takes Two Chat
When her elimination was confirmed, Bethany praised Nancy saying: "To go out on this dance and to feel the magic of getting to do that kind of routine... just means everything to me. You have brought out a side of me that I didn't think I would ever get to see."
She has now reflected on her Strictly journey during a heartfelt It Takes Two chat with new presenter Ellie Taylor, becoming tearful as she reminisced about the series.
Bethany revealed: "I just loved it so much, and that routine, for that to be the one that we went out on just meant so much to me. I'm going to remember that night forever."
Judges' Verdict and Reflection
As Ellie steered the discussion towards the split vote and the judges' verdict, mentioning Craig Revel Horwood's 'annoyance' that he didn't receive the deciding vote, Bethany joked: "Same! You and me both!"
"That must be hard to swallow when you know he was so supportive," Ellie said, as Bethany observed: "It just goes to show that it could have gone either way, him and Motsi Mabuse were both so lovely and supportive to us, through all of our dances."
Bethany went on by reflecting on her impressive scores throughout Strictly, saying: "It makes it bittersweet because we did all we could do and it wasn't quite enough to get the public on side but it did mean that we had so much fun and we could celebrate every week."
Tour Reunion and Social Media Tribute
As It Takes Two broadcast a compilation of her seven weeks on Strictly, Bethany became emotional. "These are happy tears," she said, honouring her dance partner and fellow Strictly contestants. She added: "Everyone's joy and getting to learn a new skill with my newfound bestie, just the whole thing."
As the chat drew to a close, Bethany revealed she'd be joining Nancy again for the Strictly tour, saying: "That's the little bit of icing on the cake this week, we get to do it again!"
Following her departure from the programme, Bethany took to social media to honour her dance partner, sharing a clip of the pair during their last rehearsal. She wrote: "And just like that our @bbcstrictly journey has come to an end. At the end of our final rehearsal last week, Nancy and I danced our foxtot in sweet celebratory silence to @gibranalbo Idea 15. We had no idea this would be our final time in the rehearsal room together, the emotions this moment would enliven, or how perfectly it would fit to this beautiful piece, and it is a moment I will treasure forever."
She received an outpouring of support from her followers and fellow Strictly stars, as Carlos Gu wrote: "You've come so far, and u love the energy you guys created, simply pure and real. Thank you for taking part of this show, honestly is our honour. Xx." He added: "You will be missed so bad darling! Loved watching you and Xu!"
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two airs weeknights from 6.30pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.
