Cha-Cha Cheerio To Thom Evans As He Gets Strictly Boot

But rugger hunk insists he's just good friends with dance partner...

Monday, October 27, 2014 - 11:14

Thom Evans has become the latest casualty of this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

The former rugby player - best-known to many for once dating Kelly Brook - lost out in the dance-off against Blue star Simon Webbe on last night's results show.

And the 29-year-old was brimming with enthusiasm despite his relatively early exit from the contest.

"This experience exceeded all my expectations. It is one of the best experiences of my life," he gushed.

"From the judges to the other contestants to the backroom staff, everyone does such a brilliant job and helps you feel confident going into every show."

He was also careful to quash recent rumours of a romance between himself and dance partner Iveta Lukosiute.

"She was amazing. She worked so hard, was very patient and brought out in the best of me," he said.

"It was absolute joy and pleasure to have her as my dance partner. I will still see her socially – I feel like we have become friends for life."

He even revealed that he hadn't been given too much stick by his rugger pals.

"They were happy to see me in sequins," he said. "They've been a supportive bunch of lads from the word go and I'm truly grateful for that."

Last night's result was slightly overshadowed on social media by the reaction to Boy George's appearance with Culture Club - the reunited group with which he found fame in the 1980s.

Thousands of viewers took to social media to voice their scorn and surprise at George's performance.

However the star later took to Twitter himself to brush off the negativity.

I don't ever see hatful comments. I have my sunshine button turned right up! And I'm eating strawberries in New York!

— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) October 27, 2014