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Ross King Strictly Journey: Emotional Performance Secures His Place in Movie Week By BBC Entertainment Correspondent The veteran entertainment correspondent, Ross King MBE, has become the early emotional narrative of the current series of Strictly Come Dancing, surviving the first elimination after delivering a powerful and tearful performance dedicated to his Scottish roots. The 63-year-old broadcaster, who had previously faced one of the lowest debut scores in the show's history, moved both viewers and judges with a Waltz that reflected on his family life and patriotism, securing his place in the competition as it heads into its highly anticipated Movie Week. The Hollywood-based reporter and his professional partner, Jowita Przystał, took to the floor on Saturday night to perform a Waltz set to The Proclaimers’ iconic track, “Sunshine on Leith. ” The routine, which followed a deeply moving pre-recorded segment showing King visiting Loch Lomond, scored 15 out of a possible 40 points—a notable improvement on the meagre 10 points he received for his Week One Cha-cha-cha. While the score placed him low on the leaderboard, the dramatic surge of viewer support proved instrumental in saving the couple from the dance-off. The emotional intensity of the performance was preceded by a candid interview segment where King discussed the personal significance of his home country. In the package, he explained to Przystał that he views himself as a "very proud Scots person," and shared memories of his late parents and sister while visiting the cherished Loch Lomond area. He became tearful in the moment, describing the experience as "happy crying" and expressing a profound connection to the land that inspired the dance.
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The sentiment carried through to the live show, where King was visibly wiping away tears as he finished the dance. Speaking to host Tess Daly immediately afterwards, he framed his participation as a source of inspiration for others, declaring: “I want to be the poster boy, poster older man for people who can’t dance but want to dance. I hope people go. if I can do it. ” This admission came after he revealed on the spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two that he had considered quitting early on due to low confidence following his tough start. The judges acknowledged the progress, describing him as the "most improved" contestant of the week. Head Judge Shirley Ballas noted the obvious heart in the performance but maintained constructive criticism regarding technical elements. King's Week One score of 10 was the second-lowest recorded debut in the programme’s history, prompting ITV colleague Lorraine Kelly to publicly defend him, stating that some critiques were "very harsh.
" King, a four-time News Emmy winner known for his cheerful reports from Hollywood, has brought a unique narrative to the competition. His long career as a showbiz correspondent and novelist contrasts sharply with his self-professed lack of dance experience. His decision to participate, temporarily trading his Beverly Hills home for the Elstree Studios ballroom, highlights the show's enduring appeal to celebrity figures across various professional fields, seeking both a personal challenge and a connection with the British public. Dr. Eleanor Vance, a media analyst specialising in entertainment sociology, commented on the public reaction: "King represents the relatable contestant—the older celebrity who is entirely out of their comfort zone. His vulnerability, especially connecting the dance to his heritage and family, triggers a powerful, protective response from the viewing public, often overriding the judges' technical scores. It’s the classic Strictly journey, focusing on emotional growth over pure skill, which makes him a compelling figure to watch. " King's survival in the competition was confirmed on Sunday night’s results show, which saw former The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner become the first contestant eliminated.
Despite consistently finding himself near the bottom of the technical leaderboard, the public vote proved decisive in keeping King and Przystał in the running. As the celebrities prepare for the forthcoming Movie Week, Ross King faces the pressure to translate his newfound emotional depth into technical consistency. His determination, coupled with a growing base of supportive viewers—including many who praised his tribute to Scotland on social media—suggests his journey is far from over. However, analysts warn that sentimental appeal must eventually be matched by dance floor progression to navigate the increasingly competitive stages of the series. His stated goal of reaching Movie Week has been achieved; the question now is how far the "poster boy for older men that can't dance" can genuinely progress. You can watch Ross King share his reaction to surviving the first elimination and discuss his upcoming routine on Lorraine here: Strictly Star Ross King Defies the Odds to Reach Movie Week! | Lorraine - YouTube.
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