STRICTLY Come Dancing star Dr Punam has broken her silence after getting the boot from the show.
Over the weekend she was forced to dance again as she landed in the dance-off against former Coronation Street star Shayne Ward.
The likes of Gethin Jones and Sara Cox appeared in the audience as they supported their BBC Morning Live colleague.
However, that was not enough as the judges voted to send the former X Factor winner through to the next week.
Since her axe, the television doctor addressed her exit on social media as she wrote a long essay.
Posting a snap of her last Tango with partner Gorka Marquez, she wrote: “She came. She slayed.
“However all good things must come to an end and I love that these are my exit shots. I gave it everything I had. I tried my best.
“I came here with zero dance or performance experience. Worlds away from my NHS GP work and mum life, I lived out a long held dream of being on the most fabulous dance floor on telly.
“I did it. From getting that call to now, it’s been the most exhilarating adventure ever.”
The presenter reflected on how it felt to push herself on the dancefloor and do something completely different from what she was used to.
“Stepping out of your comfort zone, especially as an adult who is set in their ways is scary but what I learnt was that it’s also exciting, it’s invigorating and it teaches you more about yourself than you ever knew before.
“Your potential truly is on the other side of that safe zone…I feel I’ve only just entered that door of potential for me.”
The Strictly Come Dancing competitor revealed that she is devastated to leave the competition, although she is proud of her progress.
“I’m gutted that my journey ends here but greater than that is the pride I feel in myself for trying something new, something as crazy as dancing live in front of millions of people every week!,” she wrote.
“Every week a new challenge, new dance, new look and new characterisation – none of which came naturally to me. However with the help of my wonderful partner @gorka_marquez I found new confidence to give it all a go.
“Whilst this is a dance competition, I discovered more than dance. There’s been so much personal growth and I believe that’s what it’s all about in the end.”
There’s so much more I have to say & I will but for now, I’m going to take a beat and let the feelings flow.
Dr Punam
“However tonight I’m not going to lie, I feel very sad. I’ve loved this experience and have had so much fun.
“You all have made me feel so loved, you’ve showed up for me and Gorka every week and supported us – THANK YOU.
“It’s such a warm feeling and I feel very lucky, especially as a huge part of this journey has been allowing myself to feel that love.
She added: “I have made some incredible friends and am taking away nothing but positives with me.
Dr Punam’s exit statement in full
She came. She slayed. However all good things must come to an end and I love that these are my exit shots. I gave it everything I had. I tried my best. I came here with zero dance or performance experience. Worlds away from my NHS GP work and mum life, I lived out a long held dream of being on the most fabulous dance floor on telly. I did it. From getting that call to now, it’s been the most exhilarating adventure ever.
Stepping out of your comfort zone, especially as an adult who is set in their ways is scary but what I learnt was that it’s also exciting, it’s invigorating and it teaches you more about yourself than you ever knew before. Your potential truly is on the other side of that safe zone…I feel I’ve only just entered that door of potential for me.
I’m gutted that my journey ends here but greater than that is the pride I feel in myself for trying something new, something as crazy as dancing live in front of millions of people every week! Every week a new challenge, new dance, new look and new characterisation – none of which came naturally to me. However with the help of my wonderful partner @gorka_marquez I found new confidence to give it all a go. Whilst this is a dance competition, I discovered more than dance. There’s been so much personal growth and I believe that’s what it’s all about in the end.
However tonight I’m not going to lie, I feel very sad. I’ve loved this experience and have had so much fun. You all have made me feel so loved, you’ve showed up for me and Gorka every week and supported us – THANK YOU. It’s such a warm feeling and I feel very lucky, especially as a huge part of this journey has been allowing myself to feel that love🥹
I have made some incredible friends and am taking away nothing but positives with me. I will head back home to my babies and clinic life with a newfound confidence and spring in my step, as I dance my way through to the next chapter. A new chapter where saying yes to new things will no longer be met with trepidation but with courage and excitement. Thank you for being a part of that.
There’s so much more I have to say & I will but for now, I’m going to take a beat and let the feelings flow..
“I will head back home to my babies and clinic life with a newfound confidence and spring in my step, as I dance my way through to the next chapter.
“A new chapter where saying yes to new things will no longer be met with trepidation but with courage and excitement. Thank you for being a part of that.
“There’s so much more I have to say & I will but for now, I’m going to take a beat and let the feelings flow.”
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer.