Strictly Come Dancing professional Nancy Xu has paid tribute to her dance partner Bethany Antonia after the pair were eliminated from the BBC competition. The Game of Thrones actress and Nancy faced Love Island's Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby in the dance-off this weekend.
After repeating their Foxtrot to Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis, the judges were split, with head judge Shirley Ballas choosing to save Cach and Maddie.
Emotional farewell on It Takes Two
Following her elimination, Bethany expressed gratitude to 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 later reflected on her Strictly journey during a conversation on It Takes Two with presenter Ellie Taylor, becoming tearful while reminiscing about the contest. Bethany said: "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."
She added: "I feel like it's brought out so many different parts of me that I didn't even expect to find in such a short time. It's just been a proper experience."
Tribute from Nancy and fellow stars
Nancy commented: "I feel like I'm dancing with someone who felt exactly the emotions with me, who felt exactly the energy, we created this memory together."
As Ellie steered the conversation towards the split vote and the judges' ruling, recalling Craig Revel Horwood's 'annoyance' that he didn't receive the casting vote, Bethany quipped: "Same! You and me both!"
Ellie said: "That must be hard to swallow when you know he was so supportive," to which Bethany remarked: "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."
Reflections on the competition
Bethany went on to reflect on her 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."
As It Takes Two broadcast a montage of her seven weeks on Strictly, Bethany was reduced to tears. "These are happy tears," she said, paying tribute to her dance partner and fellow contestants, while Nancy comforted her with a hug.
Bethany added: "Everyone's joy and getting to learn a new skill with my newfound bestie, just the whole thing." She also confirmed she would 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!"
Social media farewell
Following her departure, Bethany turned to social media to honour her dance partner, sharing a video of them during their final practice session. 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 foxtrot in sweet celebratory silence to @gibranalbo Idea 15... it is a moment I will treasure forever."
She added: "Being given the opportunity to celebrate same-sex partnerships in dancing, a commitment to courage, and embracing change has been truly joyful... Nancy, getting to do this by your side has been a dream come true."
She received support from fellow Strictly stars, including Carlos Gu, who commented: "You've come so far, and u love the energy you guys created, simply pure and real... You will be missed so bad darling! Loved watching you and Xu!!!!" Presenter Josh Widdicombe remarked: "Will miss you so much mate, you were so brilliant on the show," while Amy Dowden noted: "So much love to you both xxx."
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two airs weeknights from 6.30pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.
