Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink took to Instagram to reflect on his unexpected departure from Strictly Come Dancing, expressing satisfaction with his achievements despite leaving sooner than anticipated.
The ex-Leeds United forward became the fourth celebrity eliminated from the 2025 series during Sunday evening's results programme.
His exit followed a dance-off against West End performer Amber Davies, marking an end to his journey on the popular Saturday night show.
"While I left earlier than I'd hoped, I walk away proud of what I achieved. In just a few weeks, I made my point – a footballer can dance, it's more than okay to put yourself out there," the 53-year-old Dutchman wrote on Instagram,
His elimination came as a shock to many, particularly as he had achieved his highest score of 30 points during Saturday's Icons Week performance.
The Dutch sportsman and his professional partner Lauren Oakley performed an American Smooth to Prince's Purple Rain, whilst Davies and Nikita Kuzmin danced a Cha Cha to Ariana Grande's Break Free.
BBC Strictly: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink took the bad news graciously | BBCAll three judges who voted - Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas - opted to keep Davies and Kuzmin in the competition.
Anton Du Beke confirmed he would have made the same choice had his vote been required.
However, the judges all agreed neither couple deserved to be in the dance-off, with Ms Ballas describing the situation as "heartbreaking".
It marked Mr Hasselbaink's first appearance in the bottom two throughout the competition, making his departure particularly unexpected for viewers who had witnessed his steady improvement.
Taking to social media on Sunday night, Mr Hasselbaink expressed deep appreciation for his dance partner.
He penned: "Your talent, patience, and belief in me made this journey unforgettable."
He thanked Ms Oakley "from the bottom of my heart" for her dedication during their training sessions.
"Dancing with you has been a privilege, and I'll always be grateful for the way you lifted me up and helped me grow," the former striker added in his tribute to the professional dancer.
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The 53-year-old also acknowledged his fellow competitors, describing it as "a pleasure" to have met them during his time on the programme.
He pledged his continued support for the remaining contestants, writing: "I'll be cheering everyone on from the sidelines. Keep dancing and keep shining."
Viewers expressed outrage on social media following the elimination, with many believing the wrong contestants faced the dance-off.
One fan posted: "I'm honestly so mad about Jimmy being voted off ffs he was improving every week and a complete novice."
BBC Strictly: Fans and judges were stunned by Sunday's results | BBCAnother viewer commented that the voting this year had been "a mess", whilst others described the outcome as "a complete joke" and "ridiculous".
Several fans noted that neither contestant deserved to be in the bottom two, given their strong performances and positions in the upper half of the leaderboard.
BBC Strictly: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley bid farewell to the show | BBCThe 10 remaining celebrity contestants will return for the Halloween special on Saturday November 1, with the results programme airing on Sunday, November 2.