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An emotional La Voix fought back tears as she said goodbye to Strictly, after having to withdraw from the competition due to injury.
The drag star, 45, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, appeared in Blackpool on Sunday’s show where she talked about her abrupt departure.
La Voix was advised on medical grounds she could no longer take part on Strictly after injuring her foot earlier in the week in rehearsals.
Calling it the most ‘extraordinary experience’, the TV personality said: ‘I came into the show as a minority, as a redhead and you’ve all embraced me wonderfully.
‘I cannot thank you enough… this is not how I wanted my journey to end,’ before joking: ‘At least it gives someone else in this competition a chance to win.’
Reflecting on their partnership, Aljaz Skorjanec, 35, said: ‘I’ve been lucky this year. I’ve made two friends for life. On Saturdays/ Sundays we all laugh with La Voix and from Monday to Friday I had the best time with Chris.
‘I haven’t done a single crunch in the past six months but I’ve got my six pack back, it’s amazing.
‘Like Motsi said, “We all need it”. The world needs more of you. Strictly needed it, you made my life a joy.. You are so beautiful in what you do.’
La Voix told Aljaz she is going to leave Strictly ‘a braver, happier and such a more confident person’.
At the end of the show, the pair took to the dancefloor to say goodbye to viewers, with the professional dancer having to scoop La Voix off her feet due to her injury.
Fans took to social media and wrote: ‘Aljaz’s speech to La Voix was absolutely beautiful what a man’;
‘Adored La Voix being part of the show and everyone else getting to see a fraction of the talent those of us who watched #DragRaceUK saw’;
‘La Voix and Aljaž, what a great pairing, will miss them lots’;
‘I was sad to see them having to leave the competition. A great team, and I got to know La Voix better too’;
‘I somehow don’t think that’s the last we’ve seen of La Voix on #Strictly… Presenter of the show / spinoff show, social media content she’ll be back in some capacity. They seem to really love her.’
La Voix’s sudden withdrawal from the competition meant none of the remaining six couples would be voted off this weekend.
Taking to Instagram minutes after the announcement of her exit was made, La Voix shared a statement.
She wrote: ‘I’m absolutely devastated to be withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing. This isn’t the glittering exit I ever imagined, and it breaks my heart to feel like I’ve let people down.
‘My spirit wanted to keep dancing but my foot had other ideas! Thank you for every cheer, every vote and every sparkle of support – it’s meant the world to me. This isn’t the ending I imagined but I’ll cherish this forever.’
La Voix’s exit came after former Love Island star Dani Dyer, 29, quit the competition before the first live show on September 27 after she fractured her ankle in rehearsals.
And Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, 67, pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing on October 20 because he tore a calf muscle.
Elsewhere on the show, returning Strictly alumni Danny Mac wowed viewers.
The actor, 37, who took part in the show in 2016 alongside Oti Mabuse, joined Ashley Roberts, 44, Layton Williams, 31, and Jay McGuiness, 35, for a special performance for Blackpool week.
Fans were distracted by Danny’s ripped physique as he danced his famous Samba in an undone sheer shirt and took to social media to say he was ‘robbed’ of the Glitterball.
The former soap star missed out on winning during his series, with Ore Oduba and his professional partner Joanne Clifton coming out victorious.
Impressed by his moves and stage presence, viewers wrote on X: ‘Danny Mac has made my weekend hahah’;
‘Give Danny Mac another series for goodness sake’;
‘danny mac descending from the blackpool tower ballroom ceiling with his bedazzled shirt open, chest on show, ready to samba his way back into our hearts like it’s 2016 all over again’;
‘it makes me sick to my stomach thinking about how robbed danny mac was even almost a whole decade late’ and ‘Danny Mac really proving he was the most robbed finalist of all time’;
‘Love Jay’ and ‘They’re all still brilliant’.
The group performed a rendition of their most famous numbers with the professional dancers.
The new routine featured elements of Jay and Ashley’s iconic Jives, Danny’s famous Samba, and Layton’s showstopping Quickstep.
On returning to Strictly, Ashley said ahead of the show: ‘I’m so excited and grateful to be back on the shiny floor in Blackpool again.’
Danny added: ‘Dancing in Blackpool was an absolute highlight of my time on Strictly. To be heading back up to The Tower Ballroom once again is as thrilling as it is terrifying, but I can’t wait to be reunited with all the wonderful people who make this show.’
Emmerdale star Lewis Cope, 30, and Katya Jones, 36, topped this week’s leaderboard with a perfect 40 points.
EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, 46, and Julian Caillon, 30, who came last with 33 points.
Scores from the judges – Craig Revel Horwood, 60, Motsi Mabuse, 44, Shirley Ballas, 65, and 59 year old Anton Du Beke – as well as viewers’ votes will be carried over, and combined with next week’s points and votes.
