Will Young just announced his mysterious exit from Strictly Come Dancing – and his fellow contestants have taken to Twitter to show how upset they are about it.
The Pop Idol winner, 37, left days after clashing with head judge Len Goodman, with the veteran telling Young to “turn up, keep up, shut up”.
Will told fans on Tuesday that he had withdrawn from the competition due to “personal reasons”, but left with “joy in my heart that I have been able to take part in one of the most loved shows on British television”.
Without revealing any more insider details, his partner, Karen Clifton, said Will’s move wasn’t “easy” and she was “so sad” to see him go…
I'm so sad that Will has decided to quit the show and I know it wasn't an easy decision for him.
— Karen Clifton (@karen_hauer) October 11, 2016
Len and his fellow judges Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli have not commented on the departure, nor have hosts Claudia Winkelman and Tess Daly.
But nearly everyone else on the show was quick to wish him well.
Model Daisy Lowe tweeted…
@willyoung you are such a talented superstar... @bbcstrictly won't be the same without you- I love you dearly and hope you're alright 💘
— daisy lowe (@daisylowe) October 11, 2016
Hollyoaks star Danny Mac lent Will his support despite being “gutted”…
Gutted to lose @willyoung from our team @bbcstrictly. We all fully support his decision and will miss him massively. All the best mate x
— Danny Mac (@dannymaconline) October 11, 2016
Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph also said she was sad to see the back of “lovely” Will…
Sad to hear that the lovely Will Young has left #Strictly due to personal reasons! pic.twitter.com/1flPC1hG1s
— Lesley Joseph (@LesleyJosephTV) October 11, 2016
And similar feelings came from teenage gymnast Claudia Fragapane…
I will miss you loads @willyoung ❤️ it was a pleasure to meet you https://t.co/tRLdZuF9Zt
— Claudia Fragapane (@claudia_frag) October 12, 2016
Comedian Melvin Odoom, who was the first to leave the competition, shared a sense of solidarity…
So sad to hear this @willyoung
— Melvin Odoom (@Melvinodoom) October 11, 2016
Has been a pleasure enjoying the @bbcstrictly experience with you sir...& glad to have made a new friend💃🚶🏽 https://t.co/OFfAgei5E5
As did presenter Ore Oduba…
So sad to see our @bbcstrictly friend @willyoung leave us. Been amazing sharing the floor with you, even better getting to know you 🙏 #jaiho
— Ore Oduba (@OreOduba) October 12, 2016
And pro dancers Natalie Lowe and Janette Manrara promised vibes of love and positive energy to “an absolute dream” of a contestant…
😞 @willyoung its been an absolute dream working & getting to know u. Your calm energy, smile & eyes are infectious & Light up the room #scd https://t.co/9lQLWcPkM4
— Natalie Lowe (@RealNatalieLowe) October 11, 2016
Sending all my love & positive energy to an awesome guy, @willyoung! We will miss you on the show! #GreatGuy #GreatDancer ❤️
— Janette Manrara (@JManrara) October 11, 2016
A show source said there was no bad blood between Will and Len following Saturday night’s heated exchange, and there is a lot of mutual respect between them.
In a statement the BBC said: “Due to personal reasons, Will Young has decided to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing. The show fully respects his decision and wishes him all the best for the future.”
Due to personal reasons @willyoung is leaving @bbcstrictly BBC Statement here pic.twitter.com/BxpEbBcbjn
— BBC Strictly Press (@bbcstrictlyPR) October 11, 2016
Will and Karen were due to perform the Viennese waltz to Say Something by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera this weekend.
The show will proceed as normal with a results show on Sunday, when the third celebrity will be eliminated following the public vote.
Strictly Come Dancing airs at 6.30pm on BBC One.
