A hush fell over the Tower Ballroom as hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman delivered heartbreaking news: La Voix, the dazzling drag icon, was withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing. A foot injury, initially hoped to heal, had proven insurmountable, silencing a vibrant presence on the dance floor.
The camera found La Voix in the audience, her usually radiant face etched with disappointment as applause washed over her. It wasn’t the glittering exit she’d envisioned, a sentiment she later shared with raw honesty on social media. Her heart ached at the thought of letting down her partner, Aljaž Škorjanec, and the fans who had embraced her journey.
“My spirit wanted to keep dancing, but my foot has other ideas!” she wrote, a poignant expression of her devastation. Strictly, she confessed, had been an “extraordinary experience,” a chapter she would cherish despite its unexpected end. The outpouring of support from fellow contestants and admirers – heartfelt messages from Karen Hauer and Michelle Visage – underscored the impact she’d made.
But amidst the sadness, a surprising announcement offered a glimmer of hope to the remaining couples. This weekend, Blackpool would be different. There would be no elimination. No one would face the dreaded dance-off. A collective gasp of relief and joy swept through the ballroom as the contestants embraced, a wave of celebration erupting in the face of loss.
This decision followed a season already marked by withdrawals. Kristian Nairn, Dani Dyer, and Stefan Dennis had all been forced to leave the competition, making La Voix the fourth star to depart. The news of no elimination was met with overwhelming positivity from viewers, who celebrated the gesture of fairness and support.
The judges will still score, the public will still vote, and all will carry forward to next week, intensifying the competition. Tomorrow night’s results show will transform into a spectacular celebration, a tribute to the spirit of Strictly.
Fans can anticipate performances from beloved Strictly alumni – Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac, Jay McGuiness, and Layton Williams – alongside dazzling routines from the professional dancers and a special musical guest appearance by Lewis Capaldi. It’s a promise of sparkle and joy, a fitting tribute to La Voix and a testament to the enduring magic of the show.
