It’s still all to play for in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing series as we reach semi-final week – with celebrities Layton Williams, Ellie Leach, Bobby Brazier and Annabel Croft all hopeful of lifting the Glitterball Trophy on December 16.
Likewise, their four remaining professional dance partners share that desire too – such is the competitive nature of the annual contest. Those four in question – Nikita Kuzmin, Vito Coppola, Dianne Buswell and Johannes Radebe – will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of previous pro champions such as Giovanni Pernice and Kevin Clifton.
Since the show began in May 2004, however, you may be surprised to learn the names of several legendary dancers past and present who have failed to come out on top. Some of those tried in vein for years – with one even going on to be a judge, such was his dance prowess.
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Now, join us we take a look into five dance stars from Strictly’s 19-year history who have never won the competition.
Gorka Marquez
(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
Spaniard Gorka Marquez joined Strictly in 2016, but lasted just three weeks with his first partner – EastEnders’ Tameka Empson. In a series of spellbinding performances a year later, however, the 33-year old went the distance with former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke – only to finish runner-up to actor Joe McFadden and Katya Jones.
After being eliminated in week four with Katie Piper in 2018, the dancer was forced to take a backseat from the show’s main lineup. A return to form in 2020, however, saw another run to the final – this time with another EastEnder in the form of Maisie Smith – only Gorka to finish second once more.
The 2021 series saw Gorka partner Coronation Street’s Katie McGlyn, but his topsy-turvy experience continued with the pair bowing out after just three weeks. A third appearance in the final followed – with BBC presenter Helen Skelton – but again Gorka missed out. This year, meanwhile, another week three exit was confirmed in early October as Gorka and Nikita Kanda failed to impress the judges.
Anton du Beke
(Image: PA)
Anton du Beke was a Strictly pro from the offset, dancing with soprano Lesley Garrett in the show’s inaugural series and finishing a respectable third. A number of mediocre finishes followed as well as a last-placed finish with actress Gillian Taylforth in 2009. Anton’s fortunes improved considerably a year later with a fourth placed finish with another actress – Laila Rouass – before several more early exits followed.
Another fourth placed finish with newscaster Katie Derham was another highlight in 2016, whilst Anton’s peak finish of runner-up occurred in 2020 with actress Emma Barton. Anton’s final series in 2021 saw him partner former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, but the couple finished 12th before the dancer took his place on the judges panel with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.
Nadiya Bychkova
(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
Ukrainian ballroom expert Nadiya Bychkova signed up for Strictly in 2017 and was immediately partnered with EastEnders’ Davood Ghadami. The pair reached the quarter-final before Nadiya teamed up with Blue star Lee Ryan a year later. Amongst the early favourites to win the series, they lasted just three weeks – finishing 14th with an average score of just 22.
Nadiya’s third Strictly outing saw her partner former England goalkeeper David James, but a number of dismal performances saw them finish 12th with an average score of 17. With no appearance in 2020, Nadiya teamed up with BBC presenter Dan Walker in 2021 and achieved her best ever finish of fifth, but last year she slumped to 13th with Bros star Matt Goss and this year doesn’t have a celeb partner.
Karen Hauer
(Image: BBC)
Karen Hauer is considered Strictly royalty having joined the show in 2012. A successful debut series with Westlife’s Nicky Byrne saw the pair reach the quarter final. Karen, who was married to Kevin Clifton at the time then partnered Hairy Biker Dave Myers, finishing tenth, before a much better year with TOWIE’s Mark Wright saw he finish fourth.
Poor showings followed with the likes of Jeremy Vine and Simon Rimmer, until the Venezuelan again finished fourth – this time with actor and comedian Chris Ramsey in 2019. Karen’s highest ever finish as runner-up occurred a year later with presenter Jamie Laing, before three consecutive 12th places finishes with Greg Wise, Jayde Adams and Eddie Kadi followed.
Kai Widdrington
(Image: BBC)
Englishman Kai Widdrington is a relative newcomer in Strictly terms, having joined in 2017. The 28-year old, who once auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent and previously danced on America’s Strictly equivalent, Dancing With The Stars, partnered presenter AJ Odudu, who had to withdraw from the final due to an ankle injury.
Things didn’t go so well in Kai’s second series, however, as he bowed out in 15th place with Loose Women’s Kaye Adams. This year, meanwhile, Kai wowed viewers with his performances with 79-year old Angela Rippon, making it to Blackpool Week and exiting the contest in seventh position.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
