In a dramatic Sunday night results show that left viewers on the edge of their seats, former Chelsea and England footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink became the third celebrity to be eliminated from this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
The 50-year-old sports pundit and his professional dance partner Nancy Xu found themselves in the dreaded dance-off against EastEnders actor James Bye and his partner Amy Dowden, despite having scored an impressive 26 points for their energetic Cha Cha Cha to the hit song "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars.
The Moment of Truth
After both couples performed their routines once more for the judging panel, the decision came down to the experts. Head judge Shirley Ballas stated she would have chosen to save Jimmy and Nancy, citing their "cleaner footwork" and stronger performance.
However, judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke all voted to save James and Amy, sealing Jimmy's fate in the competition. The split decision highlighted just how close the competition has become in these early stages.
Gracious in Defeat
Speaking to host Claudia Winkleman after the elimination, Jimmy remained positive about his Strictly experience. "It's been absolutely amazing, I've loved every single second of it," the former footballer beamed.
He paid special tribute to his professional partner, saying, "Nancy has been an incredible teacher, she's been so patient with me. I'm a footballer, I'm not used to this, but she made me look good!"
Nancy reciprocated the warm sentiments, telling Jimmy, "You are the most hardworking man I've ever met. You have such a positive energy and you make everyone smile."
What's Next for the Competition?
With Jimmy's departure, the remaining celebrities continue their journey toward the coveted Glitterball Trophy. The competition continues to heat up as:
- Contestants face more challenging dance styles
- Scores become increasingly crucial for survival
- The pressure mounts with each passing week
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday on BBC One, where the remaining couples will take to the floor once more, all hoping to avoid finding themselves in next week's dance-off.
