James Bye becomes fifth celebrity to leave ‘Strictly Come Dancing’

30 October 2022

James Bye has become the fifth celebrity to leave ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

James Bye has become the fifth celebrity to leave ‘Strictly Come Dancing’

The 38-year-old EastEnders actor said he did his best after he was voted off the BBC show on Sunday (30.10.22) and added he felt like he has a new “family from life” in his dancer partner Amy Dowden, 32.

When asked by host Tess Daly about his time on the series, James said: “I’ve said this from the very beginning, all I can do is go out there and do my very best. I am dancing against Fleur East, I went and did my best but she is phenomenal.

“I’ve had the best time on this show and I have a friend for life (in Amy.) All I can do is thank the family, and I have a new family now. It’s a competition but you don’t feel like that backstage, you honestly feel like everyone has each other’s backs and everyone is just willing everyone to do their best!”

Amy added: “You came on here to show your boys they can throw themselves into any challenge in life, and you are the best role model they could ever have as their daddy! I am so proud of you.”

James and Amy had faced Fleur East and her dance partner Vito Coppola in the Halloween-themed dance off.

James and Amy Dowden performed their Charleston to ‘Bumble Bee’ by LaVern Baker, while Fleur and Vito danced the Salsa to ‘Break my Soul’ by Beyoncé.

After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts.

Craig Revel Horwood said: “Well, it’s my responsibility to save the better dancer and the better dancer tonight for me was Fleur and Vito.”

Motsi Mabuse also chose to save Fleur and Vito, adding: “For me, there were different levels of dancing on the dance floor, and I have decided to save Fleur and Vito.”

Her fellow judge Anton Du Beke said: “I thought both couples danced better on Saturday night. They didn’t reproduce their best performance, but it doesn’t have to be the best performance, it has to be better and I thought their performance was just good enough. Fleur and Vito.”

Head judge Shirley Ballas also said she would have saved Fleur and Vito.

Sunday’s results show opened with a routine from the Strictly professionals that told the cautionary tale of Icarus, while Rina Sawayama performed her single, ‘This Hell’.

The remaining 10 couples will next take to the dancefloor on Saturday 5 November at 7pm, with the results show on Sunday 6 November at 7:15pm on BBC One.