Strictly Come Dancing star Bethany Antonia was overcome with emotion in her first TV interview since her controversial elimination from the series.
The House of the Dragon actor and professional partner Nancy Xu were sent home after a tense dance-off on Sunday night (8 November).
Appearing as guests on Monday night’s episode (9 November) of the spin-off show It Takes Two, Antonia and Xu reflected on their journey in the competition.
After being shown a reel of highlights, Antonia began to cry with Xu comforting her on the sofa. “Oh these are happy tears,” Antonia said, as tears streamed down her cheeks.
“I’m just going to miss the whole thing, everyone’s joy and getting to learn a new skill with my newfound bestie [Xu], just the whole thing.”
The emotional moment came only a day after Strictly fans were shocked to see Antonia and Xu in the Sunday night (8 November) dance off despite the fact they had come fourth on the leaderboard on Saturday thanks to their Foxtrot to “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis.
The duo performed in a dance-off against Love Island star Cach Mercer and professional partner Maddie Ingoldsby, whom the judges ultimately decided to save.
Antonia’s exit was seen as premature by many Strictly fans, who condemned the “dreadful” decision on social media. “Not sure what the judges were thinking,” said one person, with another adding: “There were 4 couples worse than them last night, but they’re in another dance off, they haven’t even had an interview on the results show since the start of the series. I really don’t understand why the public hate them.”
It was the public vote that landed Antonia and Xu in the dance off, with the judges casting the deciding vote on whether to save them or Mercer and Ingoldsby.
Speaking to host Emma Willis after her elimination, Antonia said: “To go out on this dance and to feel the magic of getting to do that kind of routine and what it means and what it stands for just means everything to me.”
Turning to Xu, she added: “You have brought out a side of me that I didn’t think I would ever get to see. I'm gonna miss you so much. I am so grateful for everything you’ve taught me.”
On social media, Antonia shared footage from the rehearsal room where she and Xu had been preparing for what would be their last performance. Alongside the clip, she wrote: “We had no idea this would be our final time in the rehearsal room together, the emotions this moment would enliven, or how perfectly it would fit to this beautiful piece, and it is a moment I will treasure forever.
“Being given the opportunity to celebrate same-sex partnerships in dancing, a commitment to courage, and embracing change has been truly joyful and I can’t thank everyone enough for the amount of love and support we received.”
Antonia and Xu were the first all-female pairing since Jayden Adams and Karen Hauer competed in 2022.
Addressing her professional partner, Antonia added: “Your commitment, and unwavering faith is second to none and I wish the world could be so lucky as to know the person I’ve been so privileged to spend the last three months with. Being given the chance to learn from a true master of her craft, has been an honour. Thank you for giving me the experience of a lifetime.”
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