Strictly judge says they needed 'consoling' after 'heartwrenching' elimination
Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was eliminated last weekend alongside Katya Jones.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has revealed she "didn't sleep" after Lewis Cope's elimination and that she "needed consoling." During the quarter-finals, Lewis Cope and professional dancer Katya Jones became the tenth couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing after losing out in a dance‑off against Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. Shirley, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood all voted to save Amber and Nikita. When asked by host Fleur East if she was excited about the semi-final, Shirley unveiled on It Takes Two that she was deeply affected by the latest exit.
"Well, I didn’t sleep yesterday, I didn’t sleep when Lewis got eliminated. I probably won’t sleep tonight because everything is… You never know where the show is going to go now. At the moment, it’s not set; it could be anyone who goes home and anyone who can win," she responded.
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Shirley also confessed that she was reduced to tears after Lewis and Katya were eliminated. She said: "I was crying, Motsi [Mabuse] was crying, we went upstairs – both the boys also. To see two such fantastic dancers in the bottom two was heartwrenching. Normally, I can do it, but for some reason, last week it was quite difficult."
She continued: "And lots of tears with Motsi and I, we were consoling each other."
Earlier this week, Katya Jones tearfully blamed herself for her and Lewis's exit.
Speaking on spin-off show It Takes Two on Monday, she said: "Looking back, I can't help but think maybe I could have done things differently to make it work for him better.
"But he could only do what I asked him to do, and whatever I've asked you to do, you didn't just do this time, (you did it) every single day.
"We were in a tough position I feel, we were expected to deliver these almost perfect, show stopping routines every single Saturday, which you did. I don't know how. It is tough, but also, I'm really, really proud. We grafted."
With Lewis and Katya gone, the remaining four couples now head into the semi‑final. Each will perform two brand‑new routines, while pop icon Kylie Minogue joins the Strictly Professionals for a special performance.
The semi‑final airs this weekend on BBC One and BBC iPlayer - Saturday at 6.35pm and Sunday at 7.45pm.
