Chizzy so Pasha-nate
Ex-Holby City star first off Strictly
CHIZZY Akudolu was gutted last night after becoming the first contestant to leave the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Former Holby City star Akudolu, 43, lost the dance-off against comedian Brian Conley, 56. On Saturday, Good Morning Britain host Charlotte Hawkins, 42, and broadcaster Rev Richard Coles, 55, were at the bottom of the leader board, with Hawkins scoring the lowest number of points so far this series.
But Akudolu and Conley ended up in the dance-off after viewers’ votes were counted. Akudolu and dance partner Pasha Kovalev took on the foxtrot, while Conley and Amy Dowden did the cha-cha.
New head judge Shirley Ballas had the casting vote and saved Conley, saying his dance had “a bit more musicality and content”. Akudolu, who left Holby in June after five years as surgeon Mo Effanga, thanked judges for their “constructive criticism”. She said of Kovalev : “I have loved every minute dancing with him.” The dancer replied: “You were so much fun to work with. All the laughs we had together, all the great dancing we did.”