Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Ola Jordan praises 'brilliant' dance partner Steve Backshall as they exit Strictly

Share this:

Ola Jordan and Steve Backshall became the latest pair to exit Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday night's results show. The duo found themselves in the bottom two alongside Casualty actress Sunetra Sarker and her professional partner Brendan Cole. While Ola and Steve performed their American football inspired jive to Little Bitty Pretty One, Sunetra and Brendan danced their waltz to Last Request by Paolo Nutini. After the dance off, the four judges Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood delivered their verdicts, choosing to save Sunetra and Brendan.

ola jordan1 © Photo: BBC

Ola Jordan and Steve Backshall performed an American football inspired jive

"I thought both couples danced better actually, but the couple I'd like to save – Sunetra and Brendan," said Craig. Bruno agreed, saying: "The couple with much more grace, elegance and style – Sunetra and Brendan." While Darcey disagreed and backed Ola and her TV presenter partner, head judge Len had the final say. "My heart goes out to both of the couples in the dance off, to come out and give it all they had. The couple that were the cleanest and for me the better couple on tonight's performance – Sunetra and Brendan."

ola jordan2 © Photo: BBC

Ola Jordan and Steve Backshall found themselves in the dance off against Sunetra Sarker and Brendan Cole

Bidding an emotional farewell to his dream of winning the glitterball trophy, Steve thanked his professional dance partner for her guidance throughout the show. "I'll be gutted to go but the first thing I have to say is to this extraordinary lady, walking out on Blackpool Ballroom floor with all that nostalgia and history, with a dancer of your calibre, being taught to dance by you is an experience I'll never forget and I am so, so privileged by that," Steve told Ola. "You were absolutely brilliant to teach and work with," said Ola, returning his compliments. "You struggled a lot with your injuries and you worked so hard, you gave me 100 per cent in training, so thank you very much for being so wonderful."

ola jordan3 © Photo: BBC

Steve Backshall said it was a privilege to be taught by Ola Jordan

Despite recent claims that Ola had "bullied" her celebrity dance partner in training sessions, the pair seemed to show no signs of a rift. According to reports in MailOnline, Steve had lodged a complaint with the BBC after rowing with Ola during rehearsals. Ola's husband James Jordan took to Twitter to vehemently defend his wife, after which the Polish beauty herself posted: "I am absolutely overwhelmed with all the support and love you have given me on here. Thank you all for your kind words." Do you think Steve and Ola were the right couple to go? Leave your comments below.