Strictly Come Dancing 2021 bid farewell to Judi Love and Graziano Di Prima on Sunday – but it’s been revealed that they had far less time to prepare for last weekend’s show than anyone realised.
Comedian and Loose Women star Judi spoke after becoming the fifth celebrity to be eliminated from the 2021 series, having faced Adam Peaty in the dance-off.
The 41-year-old had been off the show for one week after testing positive for Covid, and had an incredibly short window to prepare for Saturday’s show.
Appearing on It Takes Two after their exit, Graziano told host Rylan Clark they only had one day to nail the routine.
‘Mentally, she was stronger than before. Physically, she was obviously affected. Plus, we had 10 days we are not rehearsing, she was sick. We had one day before the show,’ he said.
‘But mentally she was so focused. When she came for the day of rehearsal on Friday, she was focused. She knew she was struggling, but you went there.’
Judi went on to thank Graziano for being ‘so patient’, adding: ‘It was like, dance for two minutes, sit down, catch your breath, dance for two minutes.
‘He was so patient and I can’t believe he taught me that in such a short space of time.’
Judi left the programme on Sunday and thanked the series for helping her lose a stone and a half.
The comedian also previously spoke about her fitness after returning to the show, saying that she felt healthier after taking part in the show.
‘I’ve got to say thanks to Strictly because doing this dance and getting healthier, fighting Covid, it really, really has helped me physically and health-wise and it’s just an amazing experience,’ she said.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:45pm on BBC One. Strictly: It Takes Two airs weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two
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