We love Simon Rimmer and were rooting for him to do well in Strictly from the moment his name was revealed – but it was time for him to go at the weekend.
His skill didn’t live up to his undeniable commitment and passion to go all the way.
Appearing on It Takes Two, the Sunday Brunch presenter shared a theory on the show’s success stories – and it’s all to do with geography.
“At the end of the day, you do know that Strictly is very Southern-biased,” he said.
“There’s never been a Northern winner.”
Hmmmm, well, it’s an interesting theory. But Jilly Halfpenny, Darren Gough and Abbey Clancy might disagree!
Mind you, anyone who grew up in the seventies and eighties may be keenly aware of the north-south channel divide… Southern kids watched BBC1, northern kids ITV – or so the myth goes.
Chef Simon revealed he was now backing Gemma Atkinson to win.
“Northern powerhouse Gemma Atkinson, go on you,” he rallied.
Simon should still feel pretty proud of himself – he lasted six weeks on the show.
He shared his highlights with host Zoe Ball.
“The waltz to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and the impact it had on people, I think that showed what performance of any description can do,” he said.
“Still, now people talk about that and it was our second dance ever. The Charleston — we laughed and laughed and laughed all of the week.
“There have been so many, it’s been amazing.”
And, Southern-bias theory aside, he’s definitely not bitter and has been resolutely positive about the experience.
“It has been the most amazing experience ever, you know, from the minute I walked in through the door,” the Scouse fave said following his elimination.
“The Strictly experience is just so positive, every single person involved in it is so positive.
This weekend the 10 remaining couples take to the floor…