Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Strictly Come Dancing: Maisie Smith ‘burst into tears’ off-camera during near-miss results show

‘It was so, so scary. It wasn’t a nice feeling at all,’ revealed the actor

Louis Chilton
Monday 23 November 2020 14:25 GMT
Comments
Maisie Smith nearly falls after backflip on Strictly

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Maisie Smith has revealed that she burst into tears off-camera during a recent episode of the hit BBC dance competition.

The EastEnders actor was only just saved from elimination after being placed in the bottom two against The Wanted’s Max George during the 15 November results show. 

In an interview with OK! Magazine, Smith, who is partnered with professional dancer Gorka Márquez, explained that the episode had taken more of a toll on her than people might realise.

“Some people have had it in their heads that because I’m a good dancer that I would be safe every week. But that’s so not the case,” the 19-year-old said.

“It was so, so scary. It wasn’t a nice feeling at all. You didn’t see it on camera, but as soon as I was saved, I just burst into tears... It knocked my confidence.”

While it was ultimately George who would be eliminated from the competition, along with dance partner Dianne Buswell, Smith and Marquez found themselves in the bottom two again during this Sunday’s (22 November) show.

This time, the judging panel voted unanimously to save the pair, with Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe instead leaving the competition.

“I’ve been trying so hard – we all have,” Smith said in the interview. “But I’ve had to keep reminding myself not to take it so personally.”

Strictly Come Dancing next airs at 7.15 on Saturday 28 November on BBC One.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in