There were tears as Will Mellor and Nancy Xu narrowly missed out on a place in the Strictly Come Dancing final tonight.
The couple were axed from the show after a dance off between the couple and Fleur East and her dance partner Vito Coppola. It was the first he had been the couple had been in the bottom two and judges struggled to agree who should be given a place in next week's final.
In the end it came down to head judge Shirley Ballas to give the casting vote who favoured Fleur East in tonight's show. Shirley said the final decision was "by far the most difficult decision" she felt she has had to make and in the end her choice came down to "micro details".
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Speaking on the show after the result, Will said: "I have to thank you all for giving me this chance to put a smile on my mum's face, she deserves it.
"I'll take whatever I've learnt from this show forward into whatever I do because it shows you can achieve more thank you think. I didn't think I would be able to get anywhere near this and I'm so proud of what we've achieved."
Will also thanked everyone who voted for him and supported him throughout the show and Nancy appeared heartbroken as the realisation set in that it was the end of their time in the competition.
Nancy said: "I really wish I could make you more memories.... I really prepared for the final for you."
People on social media were touched by Nancy's parting message and sad to see her and Will part from the show.
One person wrote: "Aw - poor Nancy. Someone give her a tissue." Another added: "Nancy has turned a non dancer into a DANCER, we can see how much its meant to her dancing with Will they are all so talented."
A third said: "Oh Nancy. He's nowhere without you love. Two semi finals in a row for her….so close. It means so much to the pros as well."
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