Strictly's AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington explain Salsa mistake

Strictly Come Dancing couple AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington have explained what went wrong during their dance on last Saturday's episode (December 4).

The pair nearly lost their place in the competition after a lift went wrong during their Salsa routine to 'Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Feet' by Gloria Estefan.

Now, appearing on BBC Two's Strictly: It Takes Two, AJ and Kai have explained why the lift didn't go to plan.

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KIERON MCCARRON/BBC

"Well there's a moment when you're supposed to prep, you're supposed to go out and roll in and there was no out," Kai said.

"I realised that if I put her down she would have hit her head, so I thought I just have to wait and let her climb down and usher her to the next bit."

AJ then interjected: "But I finished the dance, guys!"

The TV presenter went on to say how glad she was to get a second chance at the routine.

"It was stressful [being in the dance-off]," she admitted. "I was nervous going into that final lift. To be able to execute it and show everyone, this is what it was meant to look like, I was really pleased."

Guy Levy/ BBC

With the Strictly final within reach, AJ told Digital Spy earlier this week how devastating it would be for her if she and Kai didn't make it to the end.

"I'd be crying for days," AJ said. "There, I said what I said. I really am just enjoying the whole experience. I feel like we've been on such a magical journey and I don't want it to be over. Definitely not now as well, because I'm loving learning each and every week.

"I'm loving progressing and getting better, and I'm genuinely just so grateful for the opportunity to do something that I dreamt of doing as a little girl. So it's amazing. I don't want my Strictly bubble to burst."

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 airs on Saturday nights on BBC One, with results shows every Sunday. Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights at 6.30pm on BBC Two.