Paralympian Sarah Storey Voted Off Strictly Come Dancing
Dame Sarah Storey and her partner Julian Caillon become the third couple eliminated from the competition after their Tango.
Dame Sarah Storey has become the latest celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing, with judges opting to save House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia and her partner Nancy Xu in the dance-off.
Storey, Britain’s most successful Paralympian with 30 Paralympic medals, including 19 golds, was partnered with professional dancer Julian Caillon. The pair found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard on Saturday with a score of 21 points for their Tango, a performance that judges noted for its 'attitude, character and dramatics'. Some viewers also questioned the song choice, Shania Twain's "That Don't Impress Me Much," as a contributing factor to the couple's struggles.
Storey expressed pride in her time on the show, stating, "I am really proud to have had a few weeks learning from this incredible chap and I've enjoyed every minute." Caillon praised her work ethic and dedication, calling her "the GOAT" and emphasizing that she "can dance."
This elimination occurred during the competition's fourth week, which featured "Icons Week," with remaining couples performing to music by artists such as Elton John, ABBA, and Adele.
Delta Goodrem, 41, did not perform due to a rib injury and received a bye with her partner Kai Widdrington, 31. They hope to return next weekend.
Caillon, 31, had previously shared with the Daily Mail that he never danced without his "lucky" grey pants, describing them as comfortable and supportive. Ironically, these trusted garments did not prevent his early exit from the competition.
Storey, 48, revealed she had been approached by the BBC about participating in Strictly Come Dancing periodically since 2012 but had previously declined due to her racing commitments and family obligations. She stated that she was glad to have waited until after her retirement from elite sport in July to fully commit to the show, sharing the decision was best made when she could give it 100 percent. Storey has two children, Louisa, 13, and Charlie, nine, with her husband Barney Storey, a three-time Paralympic cycling champion.