Strictly was a rollercoaster experience of emotion on the weekend, with each couple performing two dances and the judges showering them with reward.
Whereas Annabel Croft impressed judges and viewers alike, nonetheless, she and her associate Johannes Radebe ended up within the dance-off, and the judges selected to ship them dwelling.
Taking to social media after their choice was aired, Annabel expressed her gratitude.
© BBCThe previous tennis participant took to her Instagram Tales, the place she re-shared movies of her exit from the present posted to Instagram by former Strictly dancer Oti Mabuse and former contestant Catherine Tyldesley, who captioned it: “Oh my coronary heart… @annabelcroft @johannesradebe you have got been totally wonderful…” to which the presenter responded: “Thanks”.
© InstagramShe additionally took to Instagram the place she posted the identical video from the official Strictly account to her grid, which had the caption: “What a partnership. This has been a life-changing expertise for @annabel_croft, and we’ve had the pleasure of watching her shine each week with @johannesradebe by her facet. She’s leaving #Strictly as a Semi-Finalist and with a good friend for all times.”
© BBCFollowers commented: “Sobbing!!! nonetheless… I really feel prefer it was the fitting choice, Annabel received one thing much better than a glitter-ball… she received Johannes for a good friend!x” and: “‘My life is richer with you in it’ excuse me whereas I sob within the nook”. Dianne sweetly commented: “Love you each a lot [heart emoji].”
Viewers additionally took to X to share how unhappy they have been concerning the star’s exit, and the way a lot they admired her onerous work, which comes simply months after the tragic loss of life of her husband, Mel Coleman, which she spoke about within the video beneath…
One gushed: “Sadly, the fitting particular person went tonight, however @Annabel_Croft has discovered a brand new lease on life due to dancing however primarily due to @jojo_radebe and their #Strictly journey. It’s such a disgrace as it might have been beautiful to see Annabel and JoJo within the remaining.”
“It ought to have been Annabel as an alternative of Bobby,” one other opined, referring to actor Bobby Brazier, who the judges selected to avoid wasting following the dance-off.
© BBC“OMG. Craig saved Annabel. Completely GUTTED she’s out,” a 3rd wrote. As their remark indicated, the judges have been cut up over who to avoid wasting, with Craig Revel Horwood diverging from his co-stars.
After the {couples} had carried out for a second time, with Bobby and Dianne dancing their Quickstep to Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin and Annabel and Johannes performing their Viennese Waltz to Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Need by Sluggish Shifting Millie, the judges gave their verdict.
© BBCCraig stated: “Nicely, one dance was flashy, one dance was quiet. I believe each {couples} have equalised fully. I noticed enchancment on this one couple and based mostly on this dance and nothing prior to now however this dance alone, the particular person [who] I believe had essentially the most beautiful method is Annabel and Johannes.”
Motsi Mabuse selected to avoid wasting Bobby and Dianne, saying: “Nicely, to start with I’ve to say this was a extremely robust one tonight, I believe each {couples} danced rather well, and after the dance-off, I stood there for a couple of seconds making my choice, there was one dance the place there was a slight hesitation at a flip, one slight hesitation was the choice, and I can be saving Bobby and Dianne.”
© BBCAnton Du Beke additionally selected to avoid wasting Bobby and Dianne. He commented: “It’ll be enormously disappointing for any person, however I additionally suppose it is a celebration of how effectively you have each executed and the way far you have come…
“It was a really close-run factor and actually due to a popping out of a pivoting part wasn’t as clear as they’d have preferred and I might have preferred, I’m going to be saving Bobby and Dianne.”
© InstagramThat meant head decide Shirley Ballas had the casting vote. She stated: “I assumed each {couples} have been completely extraordinary… there was technical qualities on each side, enhancements galore, however once more one tiny mistake popping out of a pivot flip and subsequently my choice could be to avoid wasting Bobby and Dianne.”
