Fans have reacted to the Strictly first online
Balvinder and Julian faced Alex and Johannes in the dance off (Image: BBC )
Strictly Come Dancing fans watching the show tonight have just witnessed a first-ever in Strictly history as two of the remaining couples went head to head in the dance off.
The week 10 results episode saw six couples whittled down to five after the results of the public vote was revealed. It was Balvinder and Julian, and Alex and Johannes, who received the fewest votes leaving them to go head to head in front of the judges. As fans have pointed out online, the dance off led to a first-ever for the show.
Repeating their dances from Saturday night’s episode, Balvinder and Julian danced a jive to Right Back Where We Started From by Maxine Nightingale.
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe danced their cha cha cha to Ring My Bell by Anita Ward.
In the end it was EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal and partner Julian Caillon who survived the dance off, leading to a Strictly Come Dancing record being broken.
The win marks Balvinder’s fifth dance off victory – more than any contestant has ever won.
Jamelia, who danced with Tristan MacManus in 2015, faced 5 dance-offs during her time on the show.
However she lost out on her fifth attempt to fellow contestants Peter Andre and Janette.
Other celebrities have lost four dance offs including Jamie Laing, Fleur East, Molly Rainford.
Three of the judges voted to save Balvinder and Julian in tonight’s episode.
Anton du Beke was the only judge to choose Alex and Jojo, saying “both couples fixed their mistakes but they showed better quality”.
Motsi Mabuse said: “It was close with no mistakes but [Balvinder and Julian] had more attack.”
Craig Revel Horwood agreed saying “she danced the pants off it and had timing and energy”.
The deciding vote fell to Shirley who chose to save Balvinder and Julian, saying “they upped their game more and added spice”.
Fans reacted on social media with one X user saying: “Did Balvinder and Julian just became the first pair to win five dance offs ever? Oh the stars of the season”.
Another said: “Alex and Johannes have been great over the last 10 weeks. Sadly just not the best week for them this week.”