The former Olympian was the sixth celebrity to be voted out of the BBC One dance contest following week seven

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer(Image: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey Instagram)

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has said he is ‘overwhelmed’ as he responded to the news that his Strictly Come Dancing journey has come to an end.

The former Olympian was the sixth celebrity to be voted out of the BBC One dance contest following week seven of the series on Saturday (November 8).

Harry left the competition with professional partner Karen Hauer after losing Sunday night’s (November 9) dance-off against Drag Race UK runner-up La Voix and Aljaz Skorjanec.

The two couples repeated their routines from Saturday night, with Aikines–Aryeetey and Hauer dancing their samba to a Gloria Estefan song of the same name, while La Voix and Skorjanec took to the floor again for a foxtrot to Cass Elliot’s Make Your Own Kind of Music.

Judges Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas all chose to save La Voix and Aljaz before Motsi Mabuse, who had this week’s casting vote, saying she would have voted the same way if it had been needed.

Harry and Karen have since appeared on It Takes Two to discuss their time on the show with host Fleur East. Talking to Harry about his elimination, Fleur asked: “Does it soften the blow a bit going out on a dance you loved so much?”

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Harry and Karen were the latest couple to leave the BBC One dance contest(Image: PA)

“To be fair, this whole Strictly journey was just something that I imagined,” he said. “I’d always wanted to learn the samba, I said that straight away, and it is one of those things that brings the party, so it’s nice to go out on a party.”

When asked how much more Harry had to bring to the competition, Karen replied saying “he was already bringing everything!” She added: “He was giving it his all every week and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Now, Harry has taken to social media with a final message about his Strictly stint. First, he shared a photo of himself and his daughter to his Instagram Story and said: “What a weekend!! So overwhelmed with everyone’s messages and support.

“From Strictly to a sold out O2! Genuinely can’t put into words what everyone’s support means. Time to play dad and process a crazy journey.”

It was after his It Takes Two interview that he then shared pictures from his and Karen’s last performance and said: “Week 7… and that’s my final dance.

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Harry with his daughter following his Strictly departure(Image: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey Instagram)

“I’ve been genuinely overwhelmed by how many of you have messaged, stopped me in the street, or shouted at the TV like you were coaching me through a final sprint. The support has been WILD.

“To every single person who voted, cheered, and believed in me… THANK YOU!!! You’ve made an Athlete feel like a storyteller. And to the little Gladiators who cried because I’m off Strictly… listen, I promise we didn’t lose… we made it to Week 7 on zero dance experience and maximum vibes. You helped me feel like the people’s champ.”

The Gladiator, known as Nitro, continued: “@karenhauer … what a journey. Thank you for every laugh, every push, every bit of patience, and for somehow believing we could turn these Olympic hips into ballroom magic. Our rehearsals were 80% dancing, 20% chaotic laughter and I loved every second.

“I came on Strictly to step out of my comfort zone. I left it with a full heart, new family, and proof that taking risks is worth it.This isn’t goodbye — it’s just the end of this chapter.”