While the Week Three show featured some impressive performances, with Shirley Ballas awarding the first 10<\/a> and Anton Du Beke calling one dance \u201cthe best number of the series\u201d<\/a>, <\/span>unfortunately we had to say goodbye to our second 2023 contestant.<\/span><\/p>\n After landing in the bottom spots on the <\/span>Strictly leaderboard,<\/span><\/a> radio presenter <\/span>Nikita Kanda<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> documentary presenter Zara McDermot found themselves in the dreaded dance-off following the public vote.<\/span><\/p>\n And after they took to the dance floor with their professional partners to perform their routines for a second time, it was ultimately <\/span>Nikita and her dance partner Gorka M\u00e1rquez <\/span>who were sent packing by the judges in a unanimous vote.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Craig Revel Horwood was the first judge to deliver his verdict, explaining that he was saving Zara and Graziano because they \u201chad both technique and theatricality.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Next, Motsi Mabuse said that although both couples gave it their best shot, one couple\u2019s mistakes \u201cwere quite visible\u201d and so chose to save Zara and Graziano.<\/span><\/p>\n Anton Du Beke added a third vote for Zara, saying: \u201cI did think both couples danced better in the dance off, unfortunately there were a couple of small mistakes from one of the couples, so the couple I would like to save is Zara and Graziano.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n While Shirley Ballas\u2019 choice was inconsequential given that Zara and Graziano had already secured three votes, the head judge said that she would also have saved the couple if it had come down to her.<\/p>\n Speaking after the verdict had been delivered, Nikita<\/span> said: \u201cI don\u2019t want to leave yet, I feel like I\u2019ve let him down. I\u2019ve had the best time and I love all my Strictly family, I\u2019m going to miss you all. This has been a dream come true, I\u2019m so grateful. I\u2019ve got to say the biggest thankyou to Gorka, he has been the biggest support and I\u2019ve had the best time ever.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Gorka was then asked by Tess about how proud he is of Nikita, to which he said: \u201cI am beyond proud of her, for someone that doesn\u2019t have any dance experience or performance experience to come on this show and dance in front of millions of people \u2013 for three weeks, I think it\u2019s incredible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n He continued: \u201cYou should be very proud of yourself, you have never let me down and I am very proud of you. This show is going to teach you so many things about yourself that you can take with you and I take incredible memories. I\u2019ve never laughed so much in three weeks than I did with you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s Results show also featured a Barbie-inspired routine from the professional dancers, and a performance from of Showed Me (How I fell In Love With You) from Madison Beer.<\/span><\/p> ![\"Nikita](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/445732-607bd8c-e1695048983558.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"Nikita")
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