Paul Merson has offered a ‘sad’ update just days after his exit from Strictly Come Dancing. The former footballer became the fourth celebrity to say their goodbyes to the BBC One dance contest over the weekend.
During Sunday night’s (October 20) results show, he and dance partner Karen Hauer landed in the dreaded dance-off after they only got 19 points from the judges for their samba to Car Wash by R&B group Rose Royce during week five of the hit dance show.
They had to go up against JLS star JB Gill and Amy Dowden to keep their place in the competition. Both couples performed their routines again, which included JB and his partner Amy’s Jive to Hey Ya! by Outkast.
READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans say ‘he has no idea’ after hidden mic exposes Chris McCausland comment
After both couples performed again, the judges made the decision and after Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood all favoured to save JB and Amy, Paul and Karen were automatically sent home before Shirley confirmed she’d have agreed with her colleagues.
When asked by Tess Daly about their time on the show, Paul said: “It’s been really good. For anybody I talk to, I would say you’ve got to go on this show. It’s amazing – everybody. There’s a Tottenham fan over there called Lincoln and even he’s nice! It’s been amazing, honestly, amazing. I loved every minute of it, I’ve had a great teacher.”
He added of Karen: “She’s been amazing, absolutely amazing and I couldn’t wish for a better coach. I’ve loved every minute of it. I can dance now – I’ve won because I can dance, I couldn’t dance before and I can half dance now. It’s a bonus, absolute bonus.”
Days on from his exit from the competition, Paul took to X, formerly known as Twitter, with a clip of his and Karen’s routine from the weekend before he was given the boot from the dance contest.
In the video, the pair could be seen pefroming what was described as an ‘unforgettable’ Quickstep performance to I Won’t Dance by Fred Astaire after a couple of weeks of energetic Latin numbers.
Alongside the clip on Tuesday (October 22), Paul wrote: “Who would have thought? Sad it’s all over @bbcstrictly.” And he was quickly flooded with comments.
@Momrocks50 said: “You did a grand job Paul well done.” @Jaynes__World commented: “Me too, Paul. Hope you’re doing okay…” @miadaisyc replied: “You did so well, you should be very proud of yourself.” @bfcgaz wrote: “Fair play Merse you did well pal.”
@sportspsycoach replied: “Well done Paul, really enjoyed watching your progress.” @paulettya posted: “Really enjoyed your attitude and presence. Sorry we lost you and congratulations for all the dance progress you made.” @julieavfc71 added: “You thoroughly entertained me Paul. That’s what the show is about. Well done for putting yourself out there and challenging yourself.”
It comes after Paul surprisingly revealed he shares a “history” with one of the Strictly judges. He appeared on the programme’s BBC Two spin-off It Takes Two, on Monday (October 21) evening to discuss his exit. During his conversation with host Fleur East, Paul disclosed that he and Anton have “been to a few dos” together after she noted that Anton had given him higher scores than the other judges.
