La Voix and Aljaz and Harry and Karen were forced to dance again

Strictly Come Dancing kicked out another couple tonight (November 9) after a tense dance-off in the BBC ballroom.

The red light fell in Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer and La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec. And, after both had danced again, it was time for the judges to decide who to send home.
After giving it their all it was time for one couple to leave the ballroom (Credit: BBC)

Strictly results see Harry sent home

Tonight’s dance-off saw La Voix and Aljaz perform their Foxtrot to Make Your Own Kind of Music, before Harry and Karen performed their Samba to Samba by Gloria Estefan.

It was then over to the judges to make their difficult decision. Motsi Mabuse had the casting vote tonight, but she didn’t need to use it. Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke all voted to save La Voix and Aljaz. This meant that – after his mistake last week – Harry and Karen were sent home from the competition. Motsi did reveal that she agreed with her fellow judges, though.

‘This has been a dream come true’

When host Tess Daly asked Harry about his time on the show, the Olympian and Gladiators star said: “I think, first things, I just want to thank Karen. Genuinely, you have given me an opportunity to shine.

“You’ve understood my crazy brain. I’m such a logical person, trying to dance – and obviously doing what I do – Olympic sprinter, Gladiator – now I’m trying to be a dancer. I just want to thank you so much for the time and effort, the hard work that you’ve given to me. You show up, you turn out.”

Turning to his co-stars, he added: “I want to thank everyone here. Literally, this has been a dream come true. This is a celebration. It’s a celebration. I spoke to my daughter and she didn’t like seeing her dad sad, and when she saw me sad last week, she was like: ‘Daddy what’s wrong?’

“I wanted to show everyone that, no matter what happens, there’s always a silver lining. But this is an experience for me. So, thank you for this lovely gift, and at the end of the day, we carry on, we give it to them, and we continue to shine.”
Tess Daly spoke to Harry and Karen after the Strictly results were announced (Credit: BBC)

‘I am extremely proud’

When asked by Tess how proud she is of Harry, Karen said: “I am extremely proud. We’ve had the best time. You’re such a gentleman, you’re a hard worker, you listen, and you get into those times where I don’t know what you were thinking.

“But you know what? I loved you in every kind of way because of the person that you are, and it was an honour to teach you, so thank you so much.”

Strictly viewers react to results show exit

Over on social media, viewers were shocked that Harry went home, given that he scored higher than La Voix on Saturday night.

“Don’t understand why judges marked Harry higher on the night but sent him home? It’s a personality contest not a dance contest,” said one.

“Correct bottom two, but tbh La Voix should’ve left over Harry based on both tonight and the competition overall,” another agreed. “Seems like the wrong call,” another commented.

“Wow!! I’m actually surprised that La Voix was saved over Harry but I’m thrilled that she was,” said a fourth.

“Thought the judges would have saved Harry! Close between the two score wise though so could have gone either way. Love them both though,” said another.

“Kind of expected both of these in the bottom this week. Sad to see Harry go but it feels like he’s lost his spark these last few weeks,” said another sadly.

“Absolutely gutted! I wanted Karen to win it this year, longest serving professional who hasn’t won, been in the final only once as well!” another pointed out.