Fans were taken aback after the exciting update from the Olympic gold medal winner
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were thrilled after Sam Quek stayed in the competition. The Merseyside native has wowed fans with her incredible performances alongside Nikita Kuzmin so far in the BBC contest.
The two closed Saturday’s episode in style with a brilliant Jive to Time Warp in celebration of Halloween Week. Sam and Nikita were flooded with praise after the show and were voted through to the next round.
The Olympic gold medal winner was delighted to keep her glitterball dreams alive and can’t wait to see what Icon’s Week brings. the next episode of the BBC show will feature routines inspired by some of legendary musicians.
Sam was excited as she announced on Sunday’s results show that her routine will be inspired by Taylor Swift. She said: “I love Taylor Swift. I went to her concert at Anfield with all the mums.
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She added: “It was wild and I love everything she stands for. She’s a strong, powerful woman who has been through ups and down. And she has fabulous music. I can’t wait.”
Fans following the show on social media platform X were thrilled by the update as they can’t wait for Icon’s Week to arrive. @reploverlore posted: “IM A SAM QUEK STAN AND TAYLOR STAN IM CRYING”
Chloe added: “Sam as Taylor My swifte heart is screaming right now I am so excited.” Lisa posted: “I’m still not thrilled about the prospect of Icons Week (two theme weeks in a row…gah), but Sam doing Taylor has got me, I admit”
Poppy posted: “SAM AND NIKITA DOING TAYLOR OH I JUST FELL TO THE FLOOOOR, I LOVE THEM!!!!” Bid commented: “SAMS BEING TAYLOR SWIFT I COULD CRYYY the strictly x taylor crossover continues !!”
Sam took to Instagram after the results show and thanked fans for voting her through to reach the half way stage of the competition. She shared snaps from her time watching Taylor at Anfield this spring.
She said: “I AM SO EXCITED TO BE @taylorswift13 ON #STRICTLYCOMEDANCING NEXT WEEK HAVING CHOSEN HER AS MY ICON! I’m a BIG #Swiftie so this is going to be FUN!
“Thank you guys for all of your support and votes. It has meant the world to both @kuzmin__nikita and I. THANK YOU #Strictly #TaylorSwift“
Sam, who was born in Anfield and now lives in Wirral, is rehearsing for the contest in her home region and told the ECHO in an exclusive interview this month how preparing for Strictly has been even more difficult than training for the Olympics. She said: “I started playing hockey when I was 11 and then it almost becomes automatic.
“If a coach says we’re going to concentrate on V drags or backhand hitting I know straight away what the technique is and how to adjust it bit by bit to make it better. But I’m starting from scratch with dancing.”
However, the mum-of-two is relishing the challenge and the opportunity to step outside her comfort zone each week to see what she is truly capable of. She said: “Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving every minute, but it’s hard because I’m putting so much into it physically and mentally.
“Physically, it speaks for itself that you are doing eight hours a day non stop, pushing yourself. But mentally, just trying to learn the routines and new techniques.” She laughed: “I think [professional dancer] Nikita [Kuzmin] has got the patience of a saint to be partnered with me.”
Sam is part of a Merseyside takeover on this season of Strictly as she is joined on the line-up by West Derby comedian, Chris McCausland. The retired athlete explained the strong mentality she inherited from her Merseyside upbringing means she is well-equipped for the Strictly challenge – and credited this hardworking ethic for the success she has achieved in her life so far.
She said: “When you’re from around here, you don’t tend to feel sorry for yourself. You just crack on. It’s always been work hard and then if you work hard the rest will happen.” She added: “Without Liverpool there wouldn’t be a me.”
