STRICTLY Come Dancing’s La Voix bid an emotional farewell to the series after being forced to quit due to injury.
The RuPaul’s Drag Race star appeared on the Blackpool special for a final goodbye to the series, after Tess announced on Saturday that she would no longer be able to perform.
Due to her withdrawl, it was later announced that no stars would be eliminated, with everyone getting a pass through to next week and votes rolling over.
However, with Sunday’s show still going ahead as planned, La Voix joined dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec for a chat with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman instead of the normal dance-off.
Wearing a deep purple gown and her signature red wig, La Voix – real name Christopher Dennis – fought back tears as she spoke about her time on the show.
Being comforted by Aljaz, who had a supportive arm around her, the drag queen said: “This has been the most extraordinary experience of my entire life, it really has.”
Sharing her signature comedic timing, La Voix added: “I’ve come into this show as a minority… as a redhead… you’ve just all embraced me wonderfully.
“I just I cannot thank you enough for just this most magical, magical journey has been amazing,”
Speaking to Aljaz about his experience training the star, he said: “La Voix had everyone in stitches on a Saturday and Sunday night, but I was in stitches seven days a week.
“You know, we always say ‘I’ve made a friend for life’ on Strictly, but I’ve been lucky this year, because I feel like I made two friends for life.
“On Saturday and Sundays, we all laughed with La Voix, but from Monday to Thursday and Friday, I had the best time with Chris, and genuinely, I haven’t done a single crunch in the last four months, but I got my six pack back, which is amazing!”
As La Voix teared up, Aljaz continued said: “I feel like the world needs more of you, and I think Strictly needed it. And you made my life just a joy for the last weeks, and I’m gonna miss going to rehearsals, I’m gonna miss dancing with you, I’m gonna miss creating with you and you are so brilliant at what you do.”
As the crowd erupted into cheers and applause, La Voix returned the sentiment, adding: “What you see on that dance floor is a fraction of the love and the passion and the heart that this man has for dance and his craft.
“You have made me carry on when I’ve questioned myself. You’ve made me laugh through the toughest days and when I haven’t thought I could do something, you never gave up on me once, not once. And I’m going to leave this experience, braver, happier and such a more confident person, and that’s because of you.”
Despite the injury, Strictly made sure the star went out with a bang, bringing her down from the ceiling in a floral heart so she still got her moment on the dancefloor.
She was later seen hugging Aljaz in front of the crowd, who gave her one last lift and spin before they left the competition.
Strictly Hurts Dancing
La Voix isn’t the first celebrity to be struck down by injury in this series – with her exit making her the third early goodbye.
Dani Dyer was first to quit, leaving before the first live show after fracturing her ankle during initial rehearsals with Nikita Kuzmin.
Amber Davies was therefore pulled in at the last minute to dance with Nikita, and is one of the six stars still in the competition.
Just a few weeks later Neighbours star Stefan Dennis was also left with no choice but to withdraw after a painful calf injury.
He was partnered with Dianne Buswell, and was initially given a bye week in the hopes that he could recover and return.
Sadly, doctors advised against it, and he released a statement confirming his withdrawl.
He said: “This morning I woke up to the most disappointing day of the time in my Strictly journey.
“Just when I had finally gained the confidence to do well with my dancing in the comp and achieve more great dances along the way, I was told that on Saturday I had torn my calf so significantly that I am now forced to withdraw from the show.
“I can’t tell you how devastated I am to have to leave so prematurely especially, as there has been, and still is, so much love and support from everyone for both Dianne and myself.
“I owe both the Strictly Family and Dianne a massive debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being able to dance with my wife. (When my leg is better).”
