star Neil Jones was said to be “mortified” as he was booted off the dance show with his celebrity partner, Toyah Willcox, last night. The contestants found themselves in the bottom two alongside and Karen Hauer when three of four judges voted for them to go home.
Now, , Darren Stanton, has revealed exactly how the pair were feeling about their exit last night on behalf of Betfair Slingo. He said that Neil, who hasn’t been paired with a celebrity since 2021, was ‘mortified’ to exit the competition and will take it as ‘pride against his professional tuition’.
The expert explained: “There was a moment as the results came in where Neil was speaking in her ear, giving some sort of solace, but Toyah was not acknowledging it. She was in a state of anticipation waiting for the moment to end.
“They didn’t really have a great dynamic or great rapport, and that’s what has cost them here. I think Neil feels absolutely mortified here.
“They have an Olympic-esque mindset towards their craft. He was doing an expression with his lips as if he was holding his breath. They’ve all got professional pride and I just feel he was disappointed to have been voted off so early. They take it as a dent against their professional tuition.”
Neil and Toyah were voted off Strictly (Image: BBC)
Darren added that the was not the strongest, with some tell-tale signs, saying: ” The moment the result is about to be announced, a tense moment, Toyah has her hands in front of her, Neil has his hands on his hips.
“Generally, at times like this, they would likely have an arm around each other. Toyah has not been very good at connecting, and although she says she did, I don’t believe she has been able to build a deep relationship with her pro dancer.
“You’ve got to have that passion and be able to demonstrate it. This was the most tense moment of the competition, and she’s not showing any emotion. Instead, she is suppressing it, which is something she’s learnt to do, she’s holding in a lot.”
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An expert shared how Neil and Toyah were really feeling (Image: BBC)
Speaking about how , Darren said she ‘suppressed her emotions’ and flashed a ‘fake smile’. He explained: “Toyah has a very fixed expression, kind of like a mask, just before the result is confirmed. It’s a sort of fake smile.
“I think she knew in her heart she was going to be leaving. She was very stoic and still throughout the deliberation and wasn’t giving too much away.
“I think the root of the problem is Toyah displays emotion in her own way, but external signs that she is passionate and happy are suppressed.”