Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin had the whole room in stitches during Sunday night’s results show when he made an unfortunate gaffe while introducing his dance for the following week.
The professional dancer, who is partnered with hockey player Sam Quek, was left ‘mortified’ after bursting into a rendition of a Shakira song, only to be told he had made an embarrassing mistake.
As the contestants that were safe from the dreaded dance-off gathered on the sofa with host Claudia Winkleman to discuss which routine they would be rehearsing over the coming days, Nikita had his fellow competitors falling on the floor with laughter.
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Telling Claudia he and Sam would be performing a samba next week, the dancer decided to reveal their song choice by singing out loud. “First of all,” he told the room. “We’re dancing the samba. Second of all…” At that moment, Nikita started a rendition of pop singer Shakira’s Whenever, Wherever, as Sam and the rest of the celebrities stood up to join in with the chorus.
But as the contestants sat down again, Claudia interjected with a clarification. “Nikita, I love you so much,” she said, before informing him: “It was the other Shakira song.”
Nikita’s face dropped as he released his error, putting his hand over his mouth in embarrassment. Nikita and Sam will in fact be dancing to Hips Don’t Lie, the singer’s 2005 hit single, next week.
Giving Nikita the chance to redeem himself, Claudia asked the dancer: “How does that go?”, to which a sheepish Nikita proceeded to sing a couple of lines of the correct song before the room erupted into laughter at his mistake.
Viewers at home were also in stitches as they watched the chaos unfold, with some declaring it their favourite moment of the series so far.
“Claudia letting Nikita have his Shakira moment THEN pointing out he got the wrong song may be my new favourite moment of the series,” one viewer said, while another commented: “Nikita singing the wrong Shakira song with his whole chest had me in stitches.”
Another wrote: “New favorite Strictly clip just dropped, oh Nikita never change.” A fourth said: “Nikita so confidently singing the wrong song – classic Strictly moment.”
“The reactions to Nikita saying the wrong Shakira song were truly brilliant,” another said, while somebody else noted: “Poor Nikita looks mortified, bless him.”
One viewer suggested: “They have to change Sam and Nikita’s song to Whenever, Wherever now. Can’t get us all hyped for it not to be.” Another commented: “I fear that Nikita x Shakira moment won’t be beaten this series.”
At the end of the show, it was revealed that singer Toyah Willcox and her professional dance partner Neil Jones were the second couple of be eliminated from the competition. The pair danced off against former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson and his partner Karen Hauer, but were sent home after failing to impress the judges.
The pair performed their samba to the song Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid for a second time before Paul and Karen repeated their cha cha to the Magnificent Seven theme.
After the judges’ decision, Toyah described the show as “the best two months of my life”. She said: “It has been fantastic. I have enjoyed every second. And you have been phenomenal, thank you so much.” Neil added he had never seen someone “work so hard” on the show.
Sunday’s results show also featured a “rom-com inspired” routine from the professional dancers and also a performance of The Heart Asks Pleasure First from British singer Alexis Ffrench.
