Strictly's Tom Dean issues statement after claims of 'fix' as Dan Walker stunned

The Olympic medalist and his partner Nadiya Bychkova became the first couple to be eliminated

Tom Dean and his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova have both spoken after their controversial elimination from Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday night.

The pair became the first couple to leave the 2024 series and did so under a cloud, with furious fans branding the result a "fix".

Olympic gold medalist Dean and Bychkova faced off against singer Toyah Willcox, 66, and pro Neil Jones in the dance-off.

Dean and Bychkova performed the Cha Cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire, while Willcox and Jones did their Jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike and Tina Turner.

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With judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse voting to save the first pair and Anton Du Beke favouring the second couple, it came down to head judge Shirley Ballas' vote, who plumped for Willcox and Jones.

The decision was met with consternation online, with fans calling the decision into question and some labelling it "a fix". TV presenter Dan Walker also called out the exit.

Walker, who appeared in the 2021 edition alongside Bychkova, said on his social media accounts: "I’m not an expert - and I’m happy for someone to explain - but how he (Dean) lost that dance-off is completely beyond my comprehension. Genuinely thought they could have gone a long way."

In an Instagram post, Dean wrote that he was "gutted" to be leaving the show and thanked his partner for her support. He said: "Coming straight from the Paris 2024 Olympics into Strictly Come Dancing has been a whirlwind but I’m so so proud

"The journey may have ended a little earlier than I hoped and of course I am so gutted, but I’m so grateful for all the amazing people I met, people I’ll be cheering on throughout and who I know will continue to smash it

"And to my brilliant partner @nadiyabychkova, thank you so much for everything. You’ve been an amazing teacher and to have danced alongside you has been an absolute privilege. Over and out Strictly! You’ve been an absolute blast x"

Having initially said she "wasn't ready" to speak about her elimination, Bychkova did eventually find the words, adding in her social post: "I want to say thank you for all the amazing messages tonight.

"Tom had so much to give and I had so much I wanted to teach him. His improvement in the last 2 weeks has been incredible and I think, actually I know, he could have become a brilliant dancer. I’m devastated that you won’t get to see that.

"My 3-time Olympic Champion was an amazing student and is a wonderful gentleman. He will go on to bigger and better things and I know this year he could have had a brilliant Strictly story.

"I love this show and I want to wish the other couples all the best and I’m sure it’s going to be a great series. Thank you for your kindness."