Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by whitelisting our website.

Strictly’s Sara Davies posts backstage snap with AJ Odudu

Strictly's Sara Davies posts backstage snap with AJ Odudu 2

Sara Davies took to Instagram on Saturday to post a backstage snap with AJ Odudu as she supported her Strictly co-star who was forced to pull out of the final. 

The Dragon’s Den star, 37, who vas voted out of the show in week eight, pulled a sad expression while posing alongside AJ, who used crutches and a protective boot.

Her TV host pal, 33, was forced to pull out of the competition on Friday after suffering ligament damage to her foot earlier this week, leaving her unable to stand. 

Tragic: Sara Davies (left) took to Instagram on Saturday to post a backstage snap with AJ Odudu as she supported her Strictly co-star who was forced to pull out of the final

Tragic: Sara Davies (left) took to Instagram on Saturday to post a backstage snap with AJ Odudu as she supported her Strictly co-star who was forced to pull out of the final

Sara explained that she was ‘absolutely distraught’ that AJ had been ‘robbed’ of a place in the Strictly Come Dancing final.  

Sara wrote in her caption: ‘Can I just say how absolutely distraught I am for this one……. 

‘She’s been absolutely robbed of a place in the strictly final and I am totally devastated for her, but she’s got her head held high and still out there supporting the other finalists in the way that only AJ could and she’s flipping amazing!

‘Love her to bits! #strictly #strictlycomedancing @bbcstrictly @ajodudu.’

A follow-up video saw AJ hobbling her way into a Hilton Hotel while Sara greeted her with an announcement of, ‘She’s back!’ 

Frustrating: The Dragon's Den star, 37, who vas voted out of the competition in week eight, pulled a sad expression while posing alongside her TV host pal, 33, who used crutches and a protective boot

Frustrating: The Dragon’s Den star, 37, who vas voted out of the competition in week eight, pulled a sad expression while posing alongside her TV host pal, 33, who used crutches and a protective boot

Pals: A follow-up video saw AJ hobbling her way into a Hilton Hotel while Sara greeted her with an announcement of, 'She's back!'

Pals: A follow-up video saw AJ hobbling her way into a Hilton Hotel while Sara greeted her with an announcement of, ‘She’s back!’

On the mend: The presenter pulled out of the competition on Friday, after suffering ligament damage to her foot earlier this week, leaving her unable to stand

Painful: AJ - who is said to have had treatment on Wednesday - is unable to put any weight on her foot, and was hoping to compete in the final but ultimately made the decision to pull out

On the mend: The presenter pulled out of the competition on Friday, after suffering ligament damage to her foot earlier this week, leaving her unable to stand

Upset: She wrote in her caption: 'Can I just say how absolutely distraught I am for this one…….'

Upset: She wrote in her caption: ‘Can I just say how absolutely distraught I am for this one…….’

The star, who’s partnered with rumoured boyfriend Kai Widdrington, 26, was spotted leaving her London hotel later in the day to head to her final rehearsals on crutches, just one day before the Strictly final.

AJ – who is said to have had treatment on Wednesday – is unable to put any weight on her foot, and was hoping to compete in the final but ultimately made the decision to pull out.

After consulting medical professionals, AJ said in a statement: ‘I’m deeply upset that I am unable to perform in the final due to a torn ligament in my right ankle.

Sad news: After consulting medical professionals, AJ said in a statement: 'I'm deeply upset that I am unable to perform in the final due to a torn ligament in my right ankle'

Sad news: After consulting medical professionals, AJ said in a statement: ‘I’m deeply upset that I am unable to perform in the final due to a torn ligament in my right ankle’ 

‘Learning to dance over the last 13 weeks has been an incredible honour and to do it alongside someone as special, patient and devoted as Kai is something I’ll treasure forever.

‘Thank you to the Strictly family for the experience, the medical team for trying to get me back on my feet and mostly, to everyone at home for watching and supporting. You’ve made this experience one to remember.

‘Strictly Come Dancing has been a lifelong dream and I’m glad it came true. Good luck to my partners in dance, John and Johannes and Rose and Giovanni. I will be cheering you on (on one leg!)’

Oh no! The star was spotted leaving her London hotel later in the day to head to her final rehearsals on crutches, just one day before the Strictly final

Oh no! The star was spotted leaving her London hotel later in the day to head to her final rehearsals on crutches, just one day before the Strictly final

Now the live final will see just John Whaite and Johannes Radebe and Rose Ayling Ellis and Giovanni Pernice compete for the Glitterball Trophy.

Dance partner Kai Widdrington said: ‘I’ve been absolutely honoured to get to dance with the incredible AJ Odudu for the last few months.

‘Although neither of us wanted our journey to end this way, AJ’s health and safety are by far the most important things.

‘I want to thank AJ for being the absolute best partner I could ever have asked for in my first year on the show and I will always treasure the memories of dancing in the Strictly ballroom with her.

‘I know we will be friends for life and I will be there for her through her recovery in whatever way I can. I want to wish good luck to John and Johannes and Rose and Giovanni for the final.

‘And finally the biggest thank you to everyone who voted for us throughout the series, your support has been unforgettable.’ 

A regional war has been ignited for the final on Saturday night with John dancing for the northerners and Rose representing the south. 

Tragic: AJ had been hoping to compete alongside her dance partner and rumoured boyfriend Kai Widdrington in Saturday's live final

Tragic: AJ had been hoping to compete alongside her dance partner and rumoured boyfriend Kai Widdrington in Saturday’s live final

John, who hails from Chorley in Lancashire, and Rose, who comes from Kent, are dancing in the final after AJ pulled out – making it the first time since 2009 that there have been two dancers in the final. 

The southern vote has helped 27-year-old Rose become favourite to win with 1-20 odds, while northerner John, 32, is the 8-1 outsider.  

A TV source has told The Sun: ‘The regional vote has a massive effect on the success of contestants on TV contests, and never before has there been two people in the final with such a clear geographic divide.

‘There’s a strong sense that this is a clash of the titans, as both Rose and John are incredible dancers who will now go into the final neck-and-neck with voters.

‘AJ’s exit was a tragedy for her. But getting the votes she’d have received from northerners is likely to be the last-minute surge John needed to put him in reach of the glitterball.’    

North vs. South: A regional war has been ignited for the final on Saturday night with John (pictured, right) dancing for the northerners and Rose representing the south

North vs. South: A regional war has been ignited for the final on Saturday night with John (pictured, right) dancing for the northerners and Rose representing the south

About The Author