Les Dennis is the first to depart Strictly 2023

They’ve entertained us on the dance floor for the past two weeks, but unfortunately Les Dennis and Nancy Xu are the first couple to leave this year’s competition.

In the first live show of the series, Les and Nancy danced a Tango to Don’t You Want Me Baby by The Human League and last night they followed with a Samba to Rock The Boat by Hues Corporation.

The Judges’ scores from this week were added to those from last week and were then combined with the results of the viewers’ votes to decide the lowest scoring two couples facing the first Dance Off of the series. With a score of 31, Les found himself facing Nikita Kanda and her partner Gorka Marquez.

Both couples performed their routines again in a bid to impress and remain in the competition, then it was over to the Judges to deliver their final verdicts. When making his decision, Anton Du Beke said: “I thought it was a competition of two couples on performance alone and who could really nail their performance. I think the couple who did the best job were Nikita and Gorka.”

Fellow Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse agreed. With three votes in favour of Nikita and Gorka, they won the majority vote meaning that Les and Nancy would be leaving the competition. Head Judge Shirley Ballas also agreed and said she would have decided to save Nikita and Gorka.

When asked by Tess about their time on the show, Les said: “I’ve had the best time, this lady [Nancy] has been amazing, a great teacher, she’s really put me through my paces. (To Nancy) I did as well as I could for you, I hope!”

“That lot up there, I’m going to miss you so much. I really appreciate and understand the Judges' point of view, thank you so much (To Shirley) for giving me a 10 for entertainment. I hope I’ve entertained, that’s what I came here for. Strictly is the best and the people who put this on, you’re just all amazing!”

Nancy was then asked by Tess how it had been teaching in the training room with her partner, Les, and said: “It’s been a journey. This is such a short but a sweet journey. A lot of challenges we all know, but to see you (To Les) every day improve yourself. I respect you so, so much. I just want to say thank you to the Judges and all my fellow friends. Thank you, Strictly Come Dancing for all of your support. Thank you, Les.”

We’re definitely going to miss them both, but you can catch them for one last time on tomorrow’s It Takes Two, at 6:30pm on BBC Two!