Strictly's Nancy Xu says she is 'gutted' that she and partner Shayne Ward will miss out on performing at Blackpool and that she finds it 'unfair' that he was 'criticised' after being eliminated

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell

Nancy Xu has said she is ‘gutted’ that she and partner Shayne Ward will not being dancing at Blackpool as she opened up about their Strictly exit on Instagram on Sunday.

The professional dancer, said it is unfair that the X Factor singer received criticism throughout the BBC series because he had never danced before the show.

Shayne became the seventh celebrity contestant to be eliminated after a tense dance off with Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans, after failing to impress on Saturday with his rumba.

Now Nancy has shared a gushing post to social media saying that dancing with Shayne is her ‘highlight of the year’.

She wrote: ‘Where do I begin my words, for me, you have already been a winner since our very first day rehearsals together. Your humble, kindness, and respect for me are beyond then everything! Not even mention how amazing you are performing every Saturday night on the dance floor!

Nancy Xu has said she is ‘gutted’ that she and partner Shayne Ward will not being dancing at Blackpool as she opened up about their Strictly exit on Instagram on Sunday

The professional dancer, said it is unfair that the X Factor singer received criticism throughout the BBC series because he had never danced before the show

‘To get to know you as a person and to share Strictly journey with you this year, it’s my highlight of the year! Last night, I was really hoping that I could really make you dancing at Blackpool. Then, your mom can watch you shine on the stage! For me, you have given everything beautifully in many ways!’

She continued: ‘I’m so sorry that the whole journey you received criticized seems more than you should, and people forget that you are coming from 0! To put up every Saturday night show like you did, you should deserve something better!

‘But I want you to know that there is something bigger and better is on its way to coming to you! And by the time you receive more fair results!’

She added: ‘I definitely gutted that our journey has cut like this! And I want you to understand that you are an amazing person and performer, thank you for trusting me and letting me share my knowledge and pᴀssion with you! I hope our friendship will continue after this journey! As I adore our relationship! @shaynetward’

‘For the rockstart of this partnership for the whole journey @sophieaustin84 , I want to say thank you for always being there for us, and having the believed for us!

‘I know sometimes for a journey like this, for the loved ones even harder, but you were every step with us and supporting us! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND LET ME KNOW YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.

She concluded: ‘THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR VOTE AND SUPPORT! IT MEANS SO MUCH AND IM SUPER GRATEFUL!

‘THANK YOU @bbcstrictly @sarahjamesface to bring such an amazing person in the show and let me have a chance to shine with. I’m beyond grateful. Thank you for the lovely messages’

Shayne became the seventh celebrity contestant to be eliminated after a tense dance off with Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans, after failing to impress on Saturday with his rumba

Now Nancy has shared a gushing post to social media saying that dancing with Shayne is her ‘high light of the year’

The Coronation Street actor and his dance partner Nancy scored just 30 out of 40 for the technically difficult Latin dance, leaving him at the bottom of the leaderboard.

The 40-year-old was forced to dance again in front of the judges on Sunday before they delivered their verdicts.

Read More Strictly Come Dancing pro fights back tears as she hits back at BBC judges’ brutal critiques

Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse voted to save the musician, while Anton Du Beke preferred Wynne and Katya Jones’ American Smooth.

It left head judge Shirley Ballas with an agonising decision. She ultimately decided to give her deciding vote to Wynne, which meant that Shayne departed the compeтιтion.

Asked by presenter Tess Daly about his exit, he said: ‘I just want to say, you guys up there [the other contestants] 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 mᴀssive 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.’

Nancy, who last year danced with Les Dennis, 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.

Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard: Week Eight

1. JB Gill and Lauren Oakley – 37

2. Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec – 37

3. Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe – 36

4. Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal – 36

5. Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola – 33

6. Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell – 33

7. Wynne Evans and Katya Jones – 32

8. Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas – 30

9. Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu – 30

The Coronation Street actor and his dance partner Nancy scored just 30 out of 40 for their Rumba, leaving him at the bottom of the leaderboard

Scooping the same top score of the evening was JB Gill and partner Lauren Oakley and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and partner Aljaz Skorjanec (pictured)

But it was Pete Wicks that left BBC viewers in tears during his emotional performance which paid tribute to his nan

‘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.’

Read More Shayne Ward is eliminated from Strictly

Shayne and Nancy were at the bottom of Saturday’s leaderboard alongside Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas for their moody Argentine Tango.

Meanwhile scooping the same top score of the evening was JB Gill and partner Lauren Oakley and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and partner Aljaz Skorjanec.

But it was Pete Wicks that left BBC viewers in tears during his emotional performance which paid tribute to his nan.

The former TOWIE stary, 36, was incredibly close to his nan Doreen who died in 2022. He previously described her pᴀssing as ‘the hardest time of his life’.

Pete and his dance partner Jowita Przystal performed their routine to The Best, a song originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler and made famous by Tina Turner.

The reality star was praised by the judges for his performance and received his first perfect 10 score from Shirley Ballas who said his dance made her emotional.

Next Saturday the remaining eight celebrities – including Miranda actress Sarah Hadland, blind comedian Chris McCausland, and JLS singer JB – will head to the Blackpool Tower for a special episode live from its iconic ballroom.