Laura Whitmore has become the seventh contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing following a shock dance-off.
The judges’ scores were combined with the results of the viewers’ vote to decide the two lowest-scoring couples to face each other in the dance off.
This weekend, that was TV Presenter Laura Whitmore and her professional partner Giovanni Pernice, and BBC Sports Presenter Ore Oduba and his professional partner Joanne Clifton.
Both couples performed their routines again; Laura and Giovanni did their Samba to Bamboleo by Gipsy Kings and Ore and Joanne performed their Salsa to Turn The Beat Around by Vicki Sue Robinson.
After both couples had danced a second time, Tess asked the judges, based on the dance-off alone, which couple they wanted to save and their reasons for saving them.
The judges’ vote was unanimous and they all chose to save Ore and Joanne.
Craig Revel Horwood said: “One couple danced the best I’ve ever seen them dance and I think was probably their personal best; but for me, the dance of the night and who I would like to save was Ore and Joanne.”
Darcey Bussell added: “I think both couples danced exceptionally well tonight and it makes it very difficult but I’d like to save the couple that I believe and know performed their best, a finished performance, was Ore and Joanne.”
Bruno Tonioli, clearly unhappy with who’d ended up in the dance-off: “First off, let me say this wasn’t a dance off, it was a dance treat. You both danced with such vibrancy, energy and entertainment value, it’s like splitting hairs here.
“We didn’t put you there, if you didn’t vote, don’t moan. But I have to pick one out of the two that in a way outshone everyone else, and that couple was Ore and Joanne.”
Read more: Strictly favourite reveals he is expecting twins
Head Judge Len Goodman said he agreed with his colleagues and that he would have also saved Ore and Joanne.
When Tess asked Laura whether the reality had lived up to her expectations of the show, she said, “Just being here, the judges, behind the scenes.
Read more: Shannen Doherty slams friends who left her after cancer diagnosis
“I don’t think anyone realises how much goes on here, the make-up, the costume, everything and just to be part of that for a little while is amazing. And if I’m going to go against anyone then, Ore, I mean… I’m ok.”
Laura’s professional partner, Giovanni said: “I would like to say again thank you for being such a great partner, an amazing person to work with, you teach me a lot and I will never ever forget this journey.”