The presenter was back in the ballroom over the weekend alongside co-host Tess Daly for week six of the BBC One dance contest
Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman
Strictly Come Dancing fans think they spotted Claudia Winkleman’s ‘pure regret’ during her latest show appearance, as they also made an upsetting realisation.
The presenter was back in the ballroom over the weekend alongside co-host Tess Daly as week six of the BBC One dance contest took place.
It was the popular programme’s annual Halloween special on Saturday night (November 1), with the celebrations taking place the day after the official festivities on Friday (October 31).
The show opened with a skit featuring presenters Claudia and Tess, who are set to leave the show this year having announced their double exit in October, running away from the celebrity dancers, who had turned into zombies.
It was then over to the 10 remaining couples into the competition to perform, hoping to make it through to week seven of Strictly’s 2025 series, which just so happens to be the mid-way point this year.
During Sunday’s (November 2) results show, it was confirmed which couples had safely made it through, and which two couples had to perform again for their place in the show.
It was a difficult night for Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola, and Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon, as they had to re-prise their Halloween-themed performance for the judges’ support to stay in the competition.
After both performances, the judges delivered a unanimous verdict. Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse all opted to save Balvinder and Julian, resulting in Ellie and Vito leaving the competition.
Head Judge Shirley Ballas, who had this week’s casting vote, confirmed she would have made the same decision, though she praised Ellie’s efforts throughout the competition, calling her “outstanding”.
Meanwhile, the safe couples were seen chatting with Claudia, with some able to reveal what dances they’ll be performing, and to which songs, next weekend.
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Claudia and Nikita got Strictly fans flocking to comment on social media
The professional dancers seemed excited, with Katya Jones kickstarting a trend to dance around the circular table in the ‘Clauditorium’ as the music played. Last to go was Nikita Kuzmin, and while Claudia encoruaged the dancing, she looked slightly bewildered when he kneeled on the table, which didn’t go unnoticed by viewers.
Sharing a picture of Claudia’s reaction, @ericawilsonx said: “The face of pure regret #strictly.” @scddevereaux commented: “Claudia immediately regretting the suggesting to use the table #strictly.” @illumimagica laughed: “What did she think was going to happen when it came to Nikita’s turn.”
Others, meanwhile, were upset to realise that after this series, the ‘Claudiatorium’ will no longer as we know – and love – it. @fayekerriganx said: “@claudiawinkle you’ll be SOOOO dearly missed.” @
@mrsfunkin commented: “I love the Clauditorium. It’s the thing I’ll miss the most when you go @claudiawinkle.” @snoelly18 wrote: “@claudiawinkle I love u so much this is joy pure joy and I will miss u more than anything.”
@donnamcox76 replied: “Claudia will be such a huge loss to Strictly huge. She is brilliant so funny and the clauditorium. Will not be the same at all.” @donna_randall1975 posted: “I’m going to miss @claudiawinkle and this part of the show, it’s one of my favourite parts.” @alkasoni added: “How will they ever replace Claudia?!? Gutted she is leaving. She is amazing. Her facial expressions and little comments are spot on.”
