Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has said Dame Sarah Storey's days on the show were "pretty much numbered from the start" after the Paralympian became the third contestant eliminated.
Dame Sarah, 48, and her partner Julian Caillon left the competition on Sunday night following a dance-off against Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu during Icons Week.
Judges' Decision and Farewell
After both couples performed their routines again, judges Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood unanimously decided to save Bethany and Nancy. Head judge Shirley Ballas, who held the deciding vote this week, confirmed she would also have saved them.
Following their exit, Dame Sarah and Julian appeared on It Takes Two with host Ellie Taylor. The athlete admitted she found the routine "tough" all week, but Saturday night was the "best" she had done it.
Cole's Verdict on the Exit
Speaking to Express.co.uk on behalf of Sky Vegas, Cole suggested "it was unlikely she was going to go much further in the show." He said: "She hasn't been a particularly strong dancer, so she was never really going to be a contender. But she had a nice number to finish on. She looked like she enjoyed it and she got into character, which is half the battle. I hope she had a lovely time on the show, and week four? That's not bad."
Cole added: "They were the right couple to go in my opinion. At the start of the show, out of 15 couples, there are always going to be four or five that don't really show much promise. The rest have a chance to improve and get themselves somewhere near the end. Sarah was one of those who just didn't have that dance ability in the first place, so her days were pretty much numbered from the start."
Storey Reflects on Her Experience
Speaking on It Takes Two, Dame Sarah addressed leaving the competition, saying the Strictly experience is "completely different from anything I've done before" and "a big level up" from her usual life.
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday and Sunday on BBC One.
