Following the public vote, the gold-medallist swimmer, 24, faced singer and actress Toyah Willcox, 66, in the dance-off. Dean performed the cha cha for second time over the weekend with his professional partner Nadiya Bychkova to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire. After kicking off the show on Saturday (September 28), he received a score of 20 from the judges, bringing his total to 43 after picking up 23 points last week for his tango to Harry Styles’s song Golden.
Meanwhile, Willcox and professional partner Neil Jones reprised their jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner, which picked up 18 points. However, they still remained at the bottom of the leaderboard with a total of 30 after they placed at the bottom last week with a score of 12. After both couples danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both choosing to save Willcox and Jones while Anton Du Beke opted to save .
Head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and chose to save Willcox and Jones. Strictly fans say Tom Dean's exit was 'the biggest robbery' But the decision has left Strictly fans claiming Dean's elimination was “an absolute joke”, with many sharing their frustration on X. One posted: “Saving a professional musician for their musicality even though they were bottom of the leaderboard instead of the sportsman with actual potential is crazy #strictly” Another shared: “oh tom dean! our fallen king, the biggest robbery .
