A Strictly Come Dancing contestant who was tipped to be the favourite at the start of the competition has been eliminated in an emotional results show.
Tonight’s show saw Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola leave the competition following a dance-off against Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon.
Both couples performed their routines again, with Ellie and Vito doing their tango to Abracadabra by Lady Gaga and Balvinder and Julian dancing a rumba to Stay by Shakespears Sister.
After both couples had danced for a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse choosing to save Balvinder and Julian.
Head Judge Shirley Ballas – who this week was the judge with the casting vote – said that she would have chosen to save Balvinder and Julian also if her vote was required.
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Asked about her time on the show, she added of trailblazing model Ellie, 23: ‘Ellie was outstanding throughout the whole competition’.
Responding to the news of Ellie’s exit on social media, several fans praised her performances throughout the contest and said how sad they were to see her leave.
‘Ellie brought so much joy and happiness to the dance floor each week and Vito is honestly the most kind hearted soul. They had the most beautiful partnership this season. Ellie should be so proud of what she has achieved’, wrote @Steph832 on X.
@lucymaygoodwin added: ‘Ellie has been such a joy to watch on Strictly, she’s clearly had the time of her life and Vito has supported her journey so perfectly with the right level of sensitivity; like any big brother would. Someone pass me a tissue’.
‘Ellie has really been such a joyful presence on #strictly this year, bringing the sass, bringing the performance skills from day ONE!! A true STAR and I hope she’s made people question their own expectations’, wrote @scddevereaux.
Others were keen to heap praise on ‘resilient’ soap actress Balvinder, who has faced several dance-offs already this year.
‘Bal is facing an uphill battle. week after week, she dances through bias, double standards & unfair scores — yet her light never dims. she fights back, shines on that floor & proves why she belongs. improving & inspiring with grace & grit. she’s a warrior’, tweeted @itsamy_xo.
Following the moment she was voted out, host Tess Daly said to Vito about Ellie: ‘Everyone behind the scenes, everyone in front of the camera, everyone at home, can see what an incredible partnership you have had with Ellie and just how much it means to you.’
Vito then told Ellie: ‘Honestly, there are no words I can use to describe how proud I am of you, and you did really change my life so much. You made me such a better person.
‘At the beginning of this year, I said to myself, “Please, please, please, can you send me a beautiful angel into my life?” And now you arrived. I’ve never had a little sister, but I always wanted one. Now, I have you, and you’re my little sister forever, and your big brother is always by your side.’
Responding to Vito, Ellie added: ‘I’ve enjoyed it so much! He is a kind person, and all I wanted from day one. You have been so heartwarming, thank you to you [Vito].’
Vito, who previously lifted the Glitter Ball with Ellie Leach and made the final with with partners Fleur East and Sarah Hadland, then promised Ellie that they would keep dancing together.
Ellie made history with her Strictly casting, having been the first celebrity with Down syndrome to compete on the main series.
Speaking ahead of launch night, the Vogue cover star declared that she wanted to be an ‘inspiration’ to others.
Ellie, who doctors said might ‘never walk or talk’ when she was born, told the Daily Mail: ‘Being the first contestant with Down syndrome in the main Strictly series gives me the chance to show everyone who I am, what I’ve achieved, and what I’m capable of.
‘I hope I can be an inspiration to others watching at home—and most of all, I hope I make people smile and feel happy when they see me dancing!’
Elsewhere in Sunday night’s results, there was a special performance of How to Be Human by Cat Burns, accompanied by a routine from professional dancers Michelle Tsiakkas and Nancy Xu.
Next week’s results will see the professionals joined by the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment to mark Remembrance Sunday.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, 8 November, at 6:25pm, with the results show on Sunday, 9 November, at 7:10pm.
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