Introduction
Showbiz Veteran Ross King’s Emotional 'Strictly' Journey: From Historic Low to Public Support The Scottish broadcaster and LA correspondent Ross King MBE has become the early focus of public debate on Strictly Come Dancing after delivering a deeply emotional, Scotland-themed Waltz that saw him narrowly avoid the competition’s first elimination. The 63-year-old, partnered with professional dancer Jowita Przystał, secured a score of 15 from the judging panel in the latest live show, marking a significant, albeit modest, improvement from his debut performance that earned one of the lowest marks in the programme's history. King’s journey has quickly embodied the Strictly spirit of celebrity non-dancers conquering profound personal challenges, captivating viewers with his sincerity and determination to continue in the competition despite his admitted lack of confidence. The Waltz: An Emotional Turning Point King’s second live performance saw him and Przystał take on the Waltz to The Proclaimers’ iconic track, "Sunshine on Leith. " The routine was preceded by a filmed segment, or ‘VT’, showing the presenter taking his professional partner to Loch Lomond, where he became visibly tearful while reflecting on his childhood and the memory of his late parents and sister. The emotional resonance carried over into the live broadcast, with King visibly wiping away tears after the performance. The judges acknowledged the clear narrative and improvement in the ballroom style compared to the previous week's challenging Latin routine. Head Judge Shirley Ballas commented that while the technique still required significant work, the emotion was tangible. Judge Anton Du Beke praised the Scottish star’s commitment to performance, stating: "You are the definition of a performer, and that will carry you through. " The resulting 15 points—including scores of three and four from the judges—represented a five-point rise from his first week’s tally, demonstrating progress in the eyes of the panel.
Main Content
The Challenge of the Ballroom King’s journey began under challenging circumstances. His Week 1 Cha Cha Cha, performed to Katy Perry’s "California Gurls," was awarded a combined score of just 10, placing him at the bottom of the leaderboard and ranking among the lowest scores received by any contestant in the show’s more than 20-year history. Critics, including Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas, awarded him only two points each. Following this disappointing start, King candidly admitted to concerns about his future in the competition. Speaking on the spin-off show It Takes Two, the veteran broadcaster confessed that the struggle was almost overwhelming. "I have never danced and I can't dance," he told the host. "That first week when you took me in the studio—at one point I did genuinely go, 'maybe I need to put my hand up and go, this is not for me. '" He credited his professional partner, Jowita Przystał, for her patience and support, describing her role as a blend of "therapist and a trainer. " Despite the initial setback, King has publicly embraced the position of the underdog, telling the BBC, "I want to be the poster boy, poster older man for people who can't dance but want to dance. " Public and Professional Defence While the judges' marks placed him in immediate danger of elimination, the public response has suggested a strong groundswell of support, often a determining factor in the early stages of Strictly Come Dancing.
Social media users frequently shared messages of support, particularly following the emotional Week 2 performance, which many described as relatable and poignant. One viewer, taking to the social media platform X, noted: "As a Scot, I'm so, so emotional watching oor Ross King. He’s smashing it! We love you Ross! Scotland is behind you!" Furthermore, King’s long-time colleague, ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly, publicly defended him following the harsh Week 1 scoring. Kelly suggested the judges, particularly the Head Judge, had been "really harsh" on a genuine novice. This professional defence added a layer to the narrative, positioning King as a competitor who, despite his low score, possessed the personality and heart required to connect with the audience at home. King’s participation represents a notable shift in his professional focus. Primarily known for his career reporting on celebrity life from Hollywood, a role for which he won multiple News Emmys and received an MBE in 2018, his move to the competitive world of live ballroom dancing has proven to be a deeply personal endeavour, rather than simply a professional one. Entertainment analysts suggest that King’s resilience is precisely the kind of narrative that often ensures longevity in the BBC competition. "The technical scores are vital, but Strictly is fundamentally an entertainment show that relies on connection," stated one television commentator. "Viewers tend to rally around those who are visibly trying hard and are authentically out of their comfort zone.
King has tapped into that goodwill, using his emotional vulnerability to his advantage. " Outlook: The Road to Movie Week Having survived the first public vote and elimination, Ross King now faces the challenge of maintaining his momentum as the competition enters its highly anticipated Movie Week. His success in securing public votes, despite trailing the leaderboard, underscores the importance of the emotional and personal story in the competition format. The next week will test whether he can translate his newfound emotional confidence into tangible technical improvement under the themed pressures of Movie Week. The presenter remains philosophical about the demands of the show. "I'm running my own race," he is reported to have said, focusing on his personal goal of improvement rather than outright victory. As the ballroom journey continues, the balance between technical precision and audience connection will determine whether King’s emotional turn can defy the odds and keep the veteran broadcaster in the competition. The video Strictly Star Ross King Defies the Odds to Reach Movie Week! | Lorraine provides the latest televised context of Ross King’s progress on the show, showing his determination ahead of the next pivotal themed week.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide about ross on strictly come dancing provides valuable insights and information. Stay tuned for more updates and related content.
