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The 2024 series of Strictly Come Dancing has eliminated its third celebrity contestant.

BBC One’s popular reality competition, which has this year been at the centre of a PR storm over alleged mistreatment of contestants, continued on Saturday (12 October), with the elimination being announced the following night.

Week Four saw Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri top the leaderboard with pro partner Aljaž Škorjanec, dancing the Charleston in a performance that earned 39 points from the judges. EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and opera singer Wynne Evans also scored well, amassing a total of 34 points each.

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell also floored both judges and viewers with an intricate salsa, which scored 30 points.

It was TV presenter Nick Knowles, along with his partner Luba Mushtuk, who was placed in Sunday’s dance off opposite singer Shayne Ward and his partner Nancy Xu.

Ward and Xu performed a Cha Cha to “Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use)” by Sub Sub feat Melanie Williams, while Knowles and Mushtuk danced a Charleston to “Rain on the Roof” from the film Paddington 2

Knowles, who had missed the previous week after sustaining a shoulder injury, was ultimately eliminated from the series by a unanimous vote.

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Asked about his time on the series, Knowles said: “I’ve really, really been surprised by how much I’ve loved doing it and by two things that happen. One is how much you care each week, and the other is how much you don’t want to let down your partner. The only reason I could do this is simply because of Luba’s changes, she’s been amazing.”

Knowles follows contestants Tom Dean and Toyah Willcox in being eliminated from this year’s competition.

Mushtuk said: “I’ve never met someone as determined as you, and I remember you saying that if you do your best, you’ll be very happy. I think you did more than your best. Thank you.”

Speaking about his partner, Knowles added: “Luba’s been amazing and just been so fabulous every day. And I should say thank you also to all the background staff, the physios, all the people that have actually got me through this week, and to all of my fellow competitors who have been absolutely astounding, beautiful people. There are some amazing dancers up there, and I will love watching the rest of the series.”

Strictly Come Dancing continues every Saturday night on BBC One.

AFTER starring opposite Tom Cruise and Ryan Gosling, Hannah Waddingham has had more than her fair share of heart-throbs this year.

But the Ted Lasso actress admits she is still holding out for another — to be her real-life boyfriend.

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In her most revealing interview to date, she confessed she has not been out with anyone in years, saying: “It’s so long since I had a first date, I honestly can’t remember.”

The British star, who caused a huge stir with a surprise appearance on The Voice on Saturday night, last had a boyfriend in 2022 before splitting from Italian businessman Gianluca Cugnetto.

They had been together for a decade and were rumoured to have been engaged.

Hannah, who joined The Voice as a guest mentor for Tom Jones, revealed her love life was now “dry”.

She said: “I’m so busy and just a bit picky.

“I want a guy that scoops me up and goes, ‘I’ve got you, I don’t care if you’ve got your make-up on or not, I’m happy to lie in bed with you and have Marmite on toast and a glass of milk’.

“And just be a lovely positive, charismatic soul.

“I’m 50 and I’m like, ‘Dude, if you are not going to step up, step off and be gone. Sod off until someone fabulous comes along’.

“I’d rather hang with my girlfriends and gay friends and be respected.”

Admitting she has no idea why her romantic life had hit such a dry spell, she detailed the two things likely to put her off a potential partner.

“What’s my deal breaker? I’m going to be very basic — a bad kiss. You know that nothing else works, nothing else is going to work.

“But also eye contact, eye contact is key.”

Hannah also ruled out a man with “a sweaty palm” but added: “Honestly, it’s so long ago, I can’t actually remember.”

Although she has never been married, Hannah revealed she was once engaged to an unnamed man, thought to be Gianluca, but ditched the wedding plans after being disappointed by “bland” wedding dresses that did not suit her curvy figure.

She said: “I think it’s why I’ve never got married because I was engaged once, and I put on all these wedding dresses and I was like, ‘Oh, this is pedestrian’. I mean, it was so bland.

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“If I was going to do it, I would be in a bikini on the beach — a white bikini on the beach.”

Hannah began dating Gianluca in 2012, after meeting him through a mutual friend. They have daughter, Kitty, who was born in 2014 after a struggle with fertility issues.

The couple were last seen together in April 2022 at the Olivier Awards in London. Hannah has never spoken out about the break-up but in 2023 she said her “primary function is being a single mama”.

Fizzled out

She was briefly linked later that year to singer Alfie Boe, a long-term friend, after they were seen together on a number of occasions while she prepared to present the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool.

But a few months later the relationship had “fizzled out”.

Hannah said she would be open to dating another celebrity and revealed that when it comes to celebrity crushes, she has the hots for actor Sam Rockwell.

Talking to the Table For Two podcast, released last week, she said she would love to work with the Green Mile and Iron Man 2 star “if I could stop gawping at him in a different way”.

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She added: “He is almost aggressively, revoltingly talented and unfortunately very taken.”

When it comes to romance, Hannah reckons looks are not the main attraction.

Instead, she likes her men to be “charismatic, joyful, kind, twinkly and silly”.

She says: “I’m a pretty picky girl really and have such a very specific kind of criteria for things.

“One of the main things with guys, just come on man, positivity — positivity and charisma and I’m your gal.

“But there’s an awful lot of misogs (miserable old gits) out there. I don’t need it.”

She added: “I don’t go much on stereotypical cutey pie, whatever, sexy, whatever.”

I feel if I didn’t have those two I would die on the spot

Hannah Waddingham

While romance eludes the sought-after star Hannah, who released a hit Christmas album last year, is focusing on her “baby girl and music” ahead of a man.

She added: “I feel if I didn’t have those two I would die on the spot.”

She also has her film career to keep her busy.

This year she appeared with Ryan Gosling in the Hollywood movie The Fall Guy as well as getting a part in the eighth Mission: Impossible film, opposite Tom Cruise, which is set for release in 2025.

Hannah’s route to the top has not been an easy one.

She has previously spoken about how her 5ft 11in height lost her numerous roles because producers did not want to cast her opposite shorter male stars.

One of her first breaks was in Benidorm, which she joined in the fifth series, playing Tonya Dyke.

But she revealed tottering around in a bikini led to her being persistently “groped”.

“I’d never been groped in my life.

‘Nothing like Rebecca’

“But I was groped three times in one week in Benidorm,” she says.

“To get on set, I had to walk through the hotel dressed as Tonya in some non-existent bikini and high heels with blokes gawping at me . . . or rather groping me.

“I had to stop myself doing what I’d instinctively do — knock their blocks off — because I was working.”

In 2016, she was cast as Septa Unella in the fifth season of Game Of Thrones and then went on to get the role of AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso in 2020.

Hannah says Rebecca was a part she could identify with, and slip into more easily than any other she has played — but still insists in real-life she is nothing like her.

Hannah said: “I can literally think as her and think as me, like on a dime. There’s been plenty of times when people have said, ‘She’s you, Rebecca Welton’s just like you’.

“I’m nothing like Rebecca. But I can slip into her. It’s like sliding doors. It’s just who you could have been in a different life.

My primary function is being a single mama

Hannah Waddingham

“I like playing characters who are that slight slice of who you could have been, should we have taken different choices.”

Hannah’s part in Ted Lasso has proved so popular that she has been nominated three times in the Emmys, for the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, and won once.

Now she has landed a role in the upcoming Christmas animation Tiddler.

With work all over the globe, she is often torn away from her South West London home and daughter Kitty, and has previously spoken about her “mum guilt”.

Hannah told presenter Michelle Visage: “She said, ‘Mummy, we were talking at school about who inspires us and I said Harry Styles . . . and you’. I went, ‘What, me?!’ Joking. I mean, I was slightly gutted about getting second billing.

“I said, ‘Baby girl, you have made my day, my week, my month and my year, because you know Mummy struggles being away from you.”

However, she has said Kitty will always remain her priority.

“My primary function is being a single mama,” Hannah says.

“I keep saying to her that we are a team and that I have to do this. I have to strike while the iron is hot.

“I’m not so conceited that I would think that I will always have this kind of focus.

“I’ve always said to her, ‘Mummy must take this time while the light shines on me, because the light shines on you.’”

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Strictly Come Dancing viewers have aired their thoughts after the third elimination of the 2024 series.

For the third time this season, members of the public cast their votes on Saturday night (12 October). You can catch up on what happened here, and see the full updated leaderboard here.

The results show on Sunday night (13 October) saw TV presenter Nick Knowles and pro partner Luba Mushtuk dance off against singer Shayne Ward and his partner Nancy Xu.

Knowles had been absent for the previous week after sustaining a shoulder injury.

Ward and Xu performed a Cha Cha to “Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use)” by Sub Sub feat Melanie Williams, while Knowles and Mushtuk danced a Charleston to “Rain on the Roof” from the film Paddington 2.

Ultimately, it was Knowles who was eliminated from the competition, with all four judges agreeing that Ward would make it through to the next round.

Viewers reacted to the elimination on X/Twitter, with many expressing sympathy for Knowles following his injury last week.

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“Definitely the right result. Shayne Ward should never have been in the dance-off. Nick Knowles did well despite his injuries though,” one person wrote.

“Poor Nick,” commented another. “I wouldn’t have bothered coming back.”

“Honestly I’m relieved Nick is going bc he needs to recover from his injury and I’m pretty sure he would’ve had to drop out anyway in the next few weeks,” someone else wrote.

Speaking about his time on the series, Knowles remarked: “I’ve really, really been surprised by how much I’ve loved doing it and by two things that happen. One is how much you care each week, and the other is how much you don’t want to let down your partner. The only reason I could do this is simply because of Luba’s changes, she’s been amazing.”

Mushtuk said: “I’ve never met someone as determined as you, and I remember you saying that if you do your best, you’ll be very happy. I think you did more than your best. Thank you.”

Strictly Come Dancing continues every Saturday night on BBC One.

FORMER Towie star Shelby Tribble and Sam Mucklow are expecting their second child together.

The couple shared their happy news this evening alongside a picture of their baby scan, and wrote: “Baby Number 2 coming soon.”

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Their famous friends and family were quick to comment on the news.

Sam’s sister – the newly single Billi Mucklow – remarked: “So excited to be an auntie again! Love you all.”

Lauren Goodger commented: “Congratulations guys.”

While Chloe Meadows added: “Love you, so excited.”

The pair welcomed their first child into the world in 2020 but split in 2023.

They delighted fans when they quietly reunited earlier this year.

They first met and fell in love on Towie in 2018 .

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STRICTLY Come Dancing’s Nick Knowles has been spotted wearing a knee brace

The DIY SOS presenter, 62, missed last week’s live show after sustaining a injury during training.

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Instead, Nick and pro partner Luba Mushtuk performed their intended Movie Week routine this week.

The star was seen sporting a knee brace during an outing with fiancee Katie Dadzie.

It comes amid concerns of reported “clashes” between Katie and Luba.

A source said: “Luba found the constant interruptions exasperating because she felt it was disturbing their training and routine.

“It was starting to affect how Luba could teach, given that she felt Katie’s eyes on her when they were in close holds.

“Luba is a complete professional but no one can deny that it is awkward having your partner’s girlfriend in the room. Katie seems to be very clingy to Nick.”

The source added that the tension had been the subject of discussion between Luba and other show insiders.

The Sun previously revealed how Nick injured himself after falling when doing a jump during dress rehearsal.

This injury ultimately left Nick on crutches as he recuperated.

Later, the presenter addressed his tough news on social media, writing: “Gutted not to be out there with everyone tonight on the BBC Strictly dance floor but still suited up and cheering them on from the sofa!”

Despite Nick’s triumphant return, some viewers are concerned for his future in the competition after earning a low score.

The judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke – gave Nick and Luba’s Charleston a score of 21.

Strictly 2024 pairings

Here’s who is matched with who this series…

This has placed them second from bottom, ahead of Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez, who got 20.

Taking to X, one fan wrote: “Had potential to be a great dancer but he can’t do dances justice with them.

Another added: “Nick Knowles to go surely.”

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.

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Bill Maher criticized Chappell Roan’s support for Palestine on Friday’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher.

Maher, an atheist whose mother was Jewish, has frequently defended Israel’s actions since the war with Hamas erupted in Gaza last year.

“To mark the October 7 anniversary, we must launch a campaign to educate young Americans about the Middle East,” the talk show host began the episode by saying.

“And the way I’d like to begin that process is by addressing an open letter to Chappell Roan. Now, to those viewers who aren’t watching this while also looking at your phones, let me explain. … She’s actually a great new recording artist, who, like a Hezbollah pager, is really blowing up.”

He continued: “Chappell, if you think it was repressive growing up queer in the Midwest, try the Mid East.

“You’re a female drag queen and you sing, ‘I f***ed you in the bathroom when we went to dinner, your parents at the table.’ Yeah, that wouldn’t fly in Gaza. Although you would, straight off a roof. The same goes for ‘knee deep in the passenger seat and you’re eating me out.’ Yea, my guess is the morality police would figure out that one’s not about the drive-thru and kill your feathered boa-wearing ass. You know when you sing that ‘LA is where boys and girls can all be queens every single day’? You’re welcome, but offer not good in the West Bank.”

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Roan, 26, recently criticized the Democratic party over its support of Israel, telling fans on TikTok the party has “failed people like me and you. And more so Palestine. And more so every marginalized community in the world.”

In an earlier video, Roan clarified she would not be voting for Republican candidate Donald Trump after her comments on voting were “completely taken out of context.”

Roan previously said she didn’t feel pressure to endorse someone as she has “so many issues with our government in every way.”

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“There’s problems on both sides. I encourage people to use your critical thinking skills, use your vote – vote small, vote for what’s going on in your city,” she added.

On his show, Maher praised Roan for criticizing both sides of the political spectrum, but argued that her support for Palestine was born out of TikTok “propaganda.”

“Chappell, you’re not wrong that oppression is bad, or that Palestinian and many other Muslim populations are oppressed and deserve to be freed. You just have it completely ass-backwards as to who is doing the oppressing,” he said.

“Hamas is a terrorist mafia that took over Gaza… these are the oppressors. And when you make it all about Israel, you take the pressure off of them. You enable them.

“You’re a singer, and you’re advocating for a place and a culture you would never want to live under. Gender may not be binary, but right and wrong is,” Maher concluded.

The Independent has contacted Roan’s representatives for comment.

Over the years, Israel has often been accused of “pinkwashing” – pointing to its progressive stance on LGBT+ rights while depicting Palestine as violently homophobic.

On Friday, UN humanitarian officials said aid entering Gaza was at its lowest level in months and warned that critical lifelines in the territory’s north, where Israel has renewed its military offensive, had been cut off.

The UN independent investigator on the right to food, Michael Fakhri, accused Israel last month of carrying out a “starvation campaign” against Palestinians during the war in Gaza, an allegation that Israel vehemently denies.

The war in Gaza started after Hamas militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted around 250 others during the October 7 2023 attacks on Israel.

Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed over 42,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, which do not say how many were fighters but say women and children make up more than half of the fatalities. The war has destroyed large areas of Gaza and displaced about 90 percent of its population of 2.3 million people.