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Will Young steps back into the spotlight following shock Strictly exit

Gemma Strong
Online Digital News Director
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Will Young has returned to the stage for the first time since quitting Strictly Come Dancing. The 37-year-old took part in a LGBT event at the Savoy in London on Friday night – just a few days after announcing he was leaving Strictly due to "personal reasons".

According to the Daily Mail, Will was in good spirits at the gathering, where he performed a number of his hit songs, including Leave Right Now and Light My Fire. He also sang a cover of the David Bowie track Let's Dance.

Will Young makes first public appearance since quitting Strictly Come Dancing

Will Young, pictured in September, returned to the spotlight last week following his Strictly exit

Will confirmed his departure from the BBC dance show in a statement released on 11 October. Since then there has been increasing speculation about his reason for leaving, including unsubstantiated rumours he didn't get on with partner Karen Clifton, and others stating that his row with head judge Len Goodman was the "final straw". But reports of any discord seem misplaced.

The star sweetly took to Twitter on Saturday night to wish his former fellow contestants "love and luck" ahead of the live shows, and hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly opened the episode by sending Will their best wishes.

Will Young quits Strictly for

The star told fans he was leaving the dance competition for "personal reasons"

"Will, if you're watching we love you and we wish you all the best," Claudia said, to a huge cheer from the audience.

Meanwhile, judge Darcey Bussell recently broke her silence on Will's exit, and admitted she thought the former Pop Idol winner would make it through to the final.

Darcey Bussell thought Will Young could have made it to Strictly final

Judge Darcey Bussell has said Will could have made it to the Strictly final

"It's sad. Unfortunately being a judge we are not allowed to see the rehearsals or what happened during the week, so you don't know the ins and outs and you only arrive on the day of the live show," she told the Daily Mail.

"It's horrifying to think that somebody who could have easily got to the final [has left]. But you know, like in anybody's lives, you have many things that are going on and it is not to do with Len Goodman – just to make that clear."

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