After the spectacle of returning to Blackpool for the first time in three years, the reality of Strictly Come Dancing still hit home for Tyler West and Dianne Buswell as they became the eighth couple to be eliminated from the competition.
It was a special weekend for the stars and crew of the BBC One dance show as they returned to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom for the annual special for the first time since 2019, after Covid restrictions keeping them away for the last two series.
Following Saturday’s live show, the Kiss FM DJ found himself in the dreaded dance-off against Molly Rainford. During the results show, which aired on Sunday night after being pre-recorded straight after the live edition, he reprised his salsa to Megamix by KC and The Sunshine Band alongside his partner Dianne in a bid to impress the judges.
READ MORE: BBC Strictly fans fuming as they think they've worked out 'cursed' reason why Tyler was voted off
It comes just a week after Tyler and Dianne landed in the dance-off against Tony Adams and Katya Jones. However, Tyler and Dianne went straight through to Blackpool week due to former footballer Tony having to withdraw through injury.
For his original routine on Saturday, the radio DJ secured a score of 35 after grooving and performing challenging lifts while donning an afro wig and flared trousers. It left Tyler and Dianne in a deadlock in the middle of the leaderboard. Meanwhile, singer and actress Molly and her partner Carlos Gu again performed their jive to Bandstand Boogie by Barry Manilow, which had also achieved 35 points previously.
After both couples had danced for a second time, three out of the four judges chose to save Molly and Carlos for a third time so far in the hit dance competition. Craig Revel Horwood said he felt both couples danced “so much better” and that for the first time this series he was finding it difficult to choose, but he finally opted to save Molly and Carlos.
Motsi Mabuse agreed the second performances were better but said she was basing her decision on technique styles and presentation. But Anton Du Beke said he felt both couples could have "easily made the final" and went against his fellow judges to save Tyler and Dianne as he felt they were "more dynamic".
This meant that head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote, noting "this is probably one of the most difficult dance-offs that we’ve ever had to choose". But in the end, her vote went to save Molly and Carlos, explaining: “Both couples were outstanding, both improved their performances but I am going to go with what I believe in, and that is a quality of movement and precision in partnering.”
Dianne quickly became emotional as they spoke to co-host Tess Daly while Tyler said his experience on Strictly Come Dancing had given him confidence and a "new-found family". Reflecting on his time on the show, the 26-year-old said: "I’m more than a two-step now! When you watch the show at home, you wonder what it must be like to dance on it, it’s everything and more, it’s changed my life.
"This girl here has changed my life, for sure. To think I was some shy kid who never used to talk to anyone, to dancing in front of millions, I can’t put it into words. It’s my mum’s favourite show, I bought her to Blackpool, my nan, bless her, was always watching over me on this journey.
"But, more importantly, this show has changed my life in the sense it’s given me confidence, a new-found family, every dancer, everyone in hair and make-up, costume. The judges, it’s been amazing to dance in front of you every week, I genuinely mean that."
Taking to social media, Strictly fans shared how they were gutted to see Tyler go after already earmarking him for the big final in just a few week's time. But they also believed they have figured out why Shirley opted to save Molly over Tyler, despite the former having been in the bottom two three times.
@Bromosoph tweeted: "I’m pretty sure Shirley would have chosen Tyler & Dianne in the dance off but was worried about the back lash she’d have got so couldn’t. They were finalists for me! #Strictly." @Gracie_M1984 said: "Poor Tyler, he shouldn't have gone. But we all know if Shirley had sent Molly home it would have been twitter saying 'Oh Shirley hates confident young women ect etc...' #Strictly."
@em_boots noted: "#Strictly Shirley has had stick about over marking Tyler since ep1.. she couldn't choose him without backlash." @iamicaniwill shared: "Gutted. Tyler’s just so utterly fab. Not to say that Molly isn’t, because she is, but I honestly felt that Tyler would be in the final. Meanwhile, on Twitter sphere, Shirley’s damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t #Strictly."
Others, however, think a change should be made to how the final decision is made. @Kendal_ wrote: "I know it wasn’t 2:2 but the whole “Shirley is the tiebreaker” infuriates me. In that scenario, it should go to the public vote. #Strictly." @s_ffron7 tweeted: "If Shirley picked Tyler it’d be two, two. Instead of casting vote they should then get the audience or public vote from Saturday to see who goes through I think #Strictly."
Meanwhile, some Strictly fans felt Tyler should have been saved over Molly due to the amount of times she has landed in the dance-off. @tessobr46 added: "The absolute wrong decision - ridiculous - I think Shirley felt that if she had went with Tyler she'd be accused of all sorts. Molly did not deserve to go through tonight - she's been in the bottom two for weeks now and based on the dance tonight alone Tyler should have gone through." @xx_.julia.b_xx added: "Absolutely wrong decision. She keeps ending up in the dance-off so she should go."
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