EXCLUSIVE: Strictly Come Dancing legend Brendan Cole has addressed the real reason a contestant has landed in the dance-off on two separate occasions.

By Michelle Marshall, Senior Showbiz Reporter

15:46, Thu, Oct 31, 2024 | UPDATED: 15:48, Thu, Oct 31, 2024

Strictly: Shayne Ward admits 'no-one is safe'

Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu were dealt a devastating blow on the weekend after the pair were in the bottom two. The dancing duo have endured a tough time on this year's Strictly Come Dancing following a mixed reaction to their Paso Doble on Saturday (October 26).

The judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke – unanimously voted to save Shayne and Nancy while Dr Punam Krishnan and Gorka Marquez were given the boot.

After the results show, Shayne admitted that finding himself in the position left him feeling "gutted".

"This week has been a hard one," he said.

In week four, Shayne was up against Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk in the dance-off but survived the tough episode.

Shayne Ward

BBC Strictly star Shayne Ward is partnered with Nancy Xu (Image: BBC)

Strictly legend Brendan Cole has commented on Shayne's struggles during the competition, admitting, "It's a shame."

Speaking exclusively to Express Online on behalf of Sky Vegas, the professional dancer suggested the choreography could be the reason, although he enjoyed their performance during Halloween week.

“[Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu being in the dance-off again] must be down to the choreography," Brendan explained. 2I liked the number. As a performance, it was a really strong number."

He continued: "As the judges alluded to, they spent the first 30 seconds messing about. You can't judge that.

Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu

Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu performed a Paso Doble on Strictly (Image: BBC)

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Brendan Cole was a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing (Image: Getty)

You can enjoy it as a performance, but you've got to be dancing.

It's a shame because he could be really good. The way he was in that number was actually quite phenomenal. I enjoyed watching him, but he didn't do much Pasodoble.”

Shayne, 40, and Nancy, 33, will be hoping to have success this weekend as the pair will be dancing their Quickstep to Help! by The Beatles as part of Strictly’s first-ever Icons Week, which will require each couple to honour a musical icon with a routine set to their song.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday on BBC One at 6.20pm