Strictly’s Nancy Xu left ‘in tears’ by Shayne Ward’s emotional tribute after their controversial axing
STRICTLY pro dancer Nancy Xu said she was “left in tears” after her emotional exit with Shayne Ward.
Former X Factor star Shayne Ward, 40, went up against GoCompare star Wynne Evans and Katya Jones during Sunday’s results show.
But Shayne was sent packing after head judge Shirley chose to save Wynne, despite two judges voting to save the ex Corrie star.
Shayne posted a touching tribute to his dance partner and shared a string of snaps alongside Nancy while on the dancefloor.
He sweetly wrote: “From the moment I met you. I knew this was going to be special. I’m a believer that ‘everything happens for a reason’.
“This may have been our last dance together on BBC Strictly but it’s not our last dance in life.
“I have grown in so many ways because of your guidance…Your belief, your determination to help me let myself go.”
He went on: “I was so grateful for the endless support day in, day out. For me I was honestly given the best partner.
“This experience has been a rollercoaster of emotions..highs lows and endless spins.
“And I would do it all again if you asked me. I have gained a friend in you!
“And for that I am truly grateful. This is not where our journey ends…in fact. This is just the beginning.”
The message made Nancy teary-eyed as she shared a touching response in the comment section.
She wrote: “I’m trying to not let tears out, as I am now! I have adored our partnership since the beginning, thank you for everything that you put in.
“I have loved every second that we get spent time together! Those memories will stay forever.
“Keep believing yourself. Just go for it.”
It comes after fans were left furious at the outcome on Sunday.
Both couples performed their routines again; Shayne and Nancy took to the dancefloor with their Rumba to Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper.
Then, Wynne and Katya performed their American Smooth to Grace Kelly by MIKA.
After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts.
Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Shayne and Nancy and Motsi Mabuse also picked to save Shayne and Nancy.
But Anton Du Beke chose to save Wynne and Katya.
With two votes in favour of Shayne and Nancy, the decision came down to Head Judge Shirley Ballas, who decided to save Wynne and Katya. As Head Judge, Shirley’s was the deciding vote, meaning that Shayne and Nancy would be leaving the competition.
When asked by Tess about his time on the show, an emotional Shayne said: “I just want to say, you guys up there [the other contestants in the Clauditorium] are a dream.
“Every single day, coming in here and seeing you guys you helped me so much.
“I want to say thank you to the audience as well, for always being amazing for us all. This has been, honestly, one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
He added: “I’m proud that I made it to eight weeks as a novice dancer. A massive thank you goes to this incredible human right next to me [Nancy], who has put so much fire in me and made me believe that I can actually achieve more if I let myself go.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out to the end, but I’m super proud that I got to meet you [to Nancy] and dance with you, so thank you.”
Pro dancer Nancy also praised her partnership with the former soap star and said he should be “proud” of himself.
Nancy said: “I’m beyond proud of this dance partnership. Shayne from week one until this point, every second you put your feet on the dancefloor you improved yourself. You’re a deep thinker, you always doubt yourself, you never believed yourself, but I never ever questioned you.
“When I watch you, I feel proud because I’ve turned someone who has never ever danced in their life into an amazing dancer. You should believe in yourself. I adored this partnership.”
But some fans were not happy with the decision and called it a “fix”.
One wrote: “Why are the judges saving Wynne, he wasn’t great tonight and deserved to go over Shayne.”
A second echoed: “It’s clearly a fix to get Wynne to the final.”
A third said: “Wow Wynne saved but Shayne’s gone, that’s not right. Wynne was no way as near as good as Shayne.”
“It’s a fix fix fix, Shirley and Anton have got it wrong,” a fourth added.