Strictly’s Sam Quek ‘gutted’ to be voted off but has heartfelt words for partner

Sam Quek described her time on the show as “absolute joy” despite being “gutted” to lose the dance-off and become the latest celeb to be voted off Strictly.

The 36-year-old hockey star and her professional dance partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were up against Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe. Montell and Johannes were saved by all four judges.

Later, devastated Sam, who was in the British hockey team which won gold at the 2016 Olympics, said: “I’m gutted, I just want to say thank you. I’ve learned so much. Strictly has only just sprung a new spring for me.

” It’s just been an absolute joy. You’ve played a key role in bringing that inner Sam back that was there, who sat quietly for a while before returning, just recently. I feel defeated because I still have a lot to give.

Nikita, 26, paid tribute to Sam. He said:” I’m just in awe of this girl. Sometimes they say it’s about the journey, not the destination, but to me it’s about the company. Sam, you’re the best kind of people to work with.

The pair, who scored 29 with their Icons Week American smooth to Taylor Swift’s Love Story, leave the show despite reality TV star Pete Wicks, 36, and his partner Jowita Przystal, 30, scoring just 22 with their performance of a salsa to Another One Bites the Dust by Queen on Saturday.

Montell, 38, a former athlete who competed in the 2008 Olympics, and Johannes, 37, scored 35 in Saturday’s live show for their waltz to I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston.

JLS singer JB Gill, 37, received the joint highest score of this year’s series on Saturday with 39 points for the Couple’s Choice routine to a Bruno Mars medley.

His professional partner Amy Dowden had to miss the performance due to illness, but he and stand-in Lauren Oakley performed the routine in the studio.

Amy, who has recently had ­treatment for cancer, missed last Sunday’s results programme after being taken to hospital from the BBC1 show’s production centre, Elstree Studios, as a” precaution “after she began” feeling unwell”.

Reality star Tasha Ghouri, 26, and professional partner Aljaz ­Skorjanec, 34, also scored 39 for their Couple’s Choice routine to Pink’s What About Us.

Sunday’s results show also featured a performance from K-pop boyband dearALICE, along with a Beyonce medley.

Source: Mirror