Nikita Kanda’s Emotional Journey on Strictly Come Dancing

The BBC Asian Network Presenter Nikita Kanda’s Heartfelt Farewell and Memorable Moments

Nikita Kanda’s heartfelt journey on Strictly Come Dancing came to an emotional end as she bid farewell to the dance floor. The BBC Asian Network presenter, who poured her heart and soul into the competition, became the second celebrity to exit the latest series after a nail-biting dance-off against Zara McDermott during Sunday’s show.

The 28-year-old found herself in the perilous position of elimination for the second consecutive week, following her performance of the 90s-themed movie week jive, inspired by the cult classic “Clueless.” Her dance received a score of 21 from the judges, making her fate uncertain.

Talking about her departure on the Strictly spin-off show, “It Takes Two,” Kanda couldn’t hide her emotions. She said, “I feel quite emotional; this has been an emotional journey. It’s been so fun, but I’m just really sad that our time got cut short.” Her words reflected the passion and dedication she had invested in the competition.

Kanda also opened up about the impact her professional partner, Gorka Marquez, had on her Strictly experience. She shared, “It was so special, and I just had the best time with you. I honestly couldn’t have had a better partner; it was just amazing… All the laughs, all the fun, you just made it amazing for me.”

In her Saturday performance, Kanda donned the iconic Cher Horowitz outfit from the 1995 coming-of-age film “Clueless” and danced to the upbeat tune of “Kids In America” by Kim Wilde. Remarkably, she managed to deliver an impressive performance despite nursing a foot injury. “I just wanted to give it 100% because that’s what you’re there to do; you’ve got to give it everything, and I feel like that’s what we did, and we had a blast,” she added.

Kanda’s heartfelt goodbye to the dance training and partnership with Gorka left her feeling somewhat out of place as she returned to her radio duties. “I’m just really sad that we weren’t in training today. It felt really weird going back to radio and then not meeting him after (for) training,” she expressed, highlighting the bond she had formed with her dance partner.

Marquez reciprocated the affection and admiration for Kanda, noting that he had “never laughed so much” and praised her as a “beautiful human.” He also commended her for her outstanding performance on Saturday night, acknowledging the challenges of taking on the high-energy jive, especially for someone who had never danced before.

During Saturday’s show, comedian Eddie Kadi and his professional partner, Karen Hauer, wowed the judges and viewers by earning the first perfect 10 of the series for their couples’ choice performance set to “Men In Black.” Despite their stellar performance, they fell just one point short of the top spot on the leaderboard, which was claimed by Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon and her professional partner, Carlos Gu, who earned a score of 35 for their Charleston from the film “Damn Yankees.” Notably, Scanlon’s parents were in the audience, witnessing her dance journey for the first time.

As the competition on Strictly Come Dancing continues, fans and contestants alike will undoubtedly experience a rollercoaster of emotions. Nikita Kanda’s journey may have come to an end, but her dedication and passion on the dance floor will be remembered as a testament to the magic of Strictly.

By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed