Strictly Come Dancing star La Voix has officially withdrawn from the BBC series following medical advice, delivering an emotional message to fans and leaving host Tess Daly speechless with a final quip.
The drag queen, whose real name is Chris Dennis, was partnered with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec. She had been given a bye through the Blackpool edition due to injury, but medics advised her to pull out completely. During the live show from the Tower Ballroom on Saturday night, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman broke the news to viewers.
Taking to Instagram, La Voix wrote: 'It breaks my heart to say this, but after all week of hoping, healing, and doing everything I possibly could, my injury simply hasn’t improved the way we prayed it would. With the guidance of the medical team and a heavy, heavy heart I have to officially withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing.' She added that her only sadness was not being able to continue the journey with her partner Aljaž, whom she said she felt she had let down.
In a later interview on Sunday's results show, La Voix paid tribute to Aljaž, saying: 'You never gave up on me once, not once. I am going to leave this experience a braver, happier and more confident person.' When asked by Tess about the strong bonds she had made, La Voix joked: 'At least it gives someone else a chance to win now,' leaving Daly momentarily speechless.
Aljaž praised La Voix, saying: 'You made my life just a joy. I’m going to miss going to rehearsals with you, dancing with you, creating with you.' The remaining six contestants faced no elimination due to La Voix's departure, making Sunday's show a relaxed affair with performances from Strictly legends and Lewis Capaldi.
