Melvin Odoom on shock Strictly Come Dancing exit: ‘It was really sad over the weekend’

The radio DJ was eliminated after Anastacia was unable to perform in the dance-off
'Sad weekend': Melvin Odoom on his shock Strictly exit
BBC
Jennifer Ruby4 October 2016
The Weekender

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and theatre ticket deals

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Melvin Odoom has spoken about his shock Strictly exit for the first time, saying that he’s been feeling ‘really sad’.

The presenter, who became the first contestant to lose his place on the show on Sunday, after the usual dance-off was scrapped, thinks he had so much more to show the public.

“I feel better today. But it was really sad over the weekend,” he told Zoe Ball on It Takes Two.

The Radio DJ, who was automatically eliminated as Anastacia was too unwell to take part in the dance-off, added:

Out: Melvin Odoom and Janette Manrara
BBC/Guy Levy

“We just didn't want to leave and so soon… We had so much work to still do and we already knew what we were doing for this week."

Odoom’s dance partner Janette Manrara dismissed claims that there had been some kind of fix, saying that it was ‘no one’s fault’.

"It was such a specific situation and it is no one’s fault. Things happen sometimes and you just have to abide by the rules,” she said.

"We love Anastacia and Brendan [Cole], we wish her the best, best speedy recovery. What can you do? You just have bow down and say thank you very much."

Odoom added: “When we found out we were in the bottom two, Janette was like, 'Right Melvin start stretching! We're going on soon!' We wanted to go out there and dance like it was our last dance ever in life.

"I love all the guys on the show, and everyone messaged me. My friends and family just told me how proud of me they were - that's all you can ask for.

"It was a really tough week but getting the routine down on the day was such an accomplishment!"

Anastacia, 48, was unable to take part in the first dance-off of the series after reportedly suffering a tear to a scar from a double mastectomy.

Strictly Come Dancing 2016

1/44

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in