Strictly Come Dancing’s Vicky Pattison shared her thoughts on a co-star leaving
Jessica Sansome TV and Celebrity Editor and Abbie Bray Deputy Editor for Screen Time
10:04, 13 Nov 2025
Strictly: Vicky Pattison and Kai dance to ‘Fight For This Love’
Vicky Pattison has admitted the most recent Strictly Come Dancing elimination was difficult to accept as she honoured her fellow contestant who departed the show.
The ex-Geordie Shore personality enjoyed her strongest performance of the series in the iconic ballroom, achieving an almost flawless score with professional dance partner Kai Widdrington.
The pair earned 39 points for their Tango to Taylor Swift’s The Fate Of Ophelia during the seventh week of the BBC One dancing competition on Saturday (November 8) evening.
Vicky and Kai impressed the judging panel during Saturday evening’s programme, with Craig Revel Horwood calling it “perfect”, whilst Anton Du Beke remarked he was “a bit stunned” as it was “that good”.
Whilst she claimed the top spot on the leaderboard and guaranteed her progression to the eighth week of Strictly’s 2025 series, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey became the sixth celebrity eliminated from Strictly, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Gladiator, recognised as Nitro, departed the competition alongside professional partner Karen Hauer following defeat in Sunday evening’s dance-off against Drag Race UK runner-up La Voix and Aljaz Skorjanec.
Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison(Image: Vicky Pattison Instagram)READ MORE: A Place in the Sun’s Jasmine Harman shares emotional update after husband’s heart attackREAD MORE: Strictly star gives heartbreaking update as brain tumour is ‘growing very fast’
Both couples performed their routines from Saturday evening once more, with Harry and Karen dancing their samba to a Gloria Estefan song of the same name, whilst La Voix and Aljaz returned to the floor for a foxtrot to Cass Elliot’s Make Your Own Kind of Music.
Vicky also shared her thoughts on Harry’s exit. Posting photos of the two of them on Instagram, she said: “This one was a really difficult pill to swallow… @aikines.
“Harry, you are one of the genuinely nicest blokes I have ever been lucky enough to meet. Everything you’ve done over the last few months- showing young men that it is ok to show emotion, to be passionate, kind, and that even the biggest and strongest men can also be vulnerable has been truly inspiring to watch.
“The dedication, enthusiasm, and energy you’ve brought to this competition week after week has been amazing, and I know I speak for the whole Strictly crew when I say we’re going to miss you so much!”
Strictly Come Dancing’s Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington(Image: BBC)
She added: “You and the lovely @karenhauer put on an incredible show for us every week, and watching your wonderful friendship was always a highlight for me! Love you, Nitro, and I just hope you know how much joy you brought to millions of homes every Saturday night, mate.”
Harry was quick to respond, as he commented on the post: “What a journey it’s been! Thanking you all!” before Vicky again gushed: “Love you petal.”
Judges Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, and Shirley Ballas all opted to save La Voix and Skorjanec, with Motsi Mabuse, who held the deciding vote this week, confirming she would have done the same.
La Voix faced the dance-off against Harry Aikines-Aryeetey(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Upon his departure being confirmed, Harry expressed: “I just want to thank Karen, genuinely, you have given me an opportunity to shine. You’ve understood my crazy brain.
“I’m such a logical person, trying to dance – and obviously doing what I do: Olympic sprinter, Gladiator – now I’m trying to be a dancer. I just want to thank you so much for the time and effort, the hard work that you’ve given to me. You show up, you turn out.
“I want to thank everyone here. Literally, this has been a dream come true. This is a celebration. I spoke to my daughter, and she didn’t like seeing her dad sad. When she saw me sad last week, she was like, ‘Daddy, what’s wrong?’ I wanted to show everyone that, no matter what happens, there’s always a silver lining.
“This is an experience for me, so thank you for this lovely gift, and at the end of the day, we carry on, we give it to them, and we continue to shine.”
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
