Anneka Rice has become the second celebrity to depart Strictly Come Dancing 2019.
The broadcaster – who turned 61 last week – and her pro partner Kevin Clifton were booted off the BBC One series after the judges decided to save ex England goalkeeper David James following a dance off.
Treasure Hunt star Anneka and Kevin, 36, ended up bottom of the scoreboard on Saturday with only 11 points for their Movies Week Charleston before the public vote was revealed on Sunday evening.
But Anneka – who later admitted she couldn’t even clap in time, never mind dance in time, before signing up for Strictly – insisted their performance had been “good” and seemed delighted to rack up any points at all.
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Giggling judges Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli were in tears as they delivered their appraisals, struggling to control their laughter at the efforts choreographed to Woo-Hoo from Kill Bill: Volume 1.
Both they and Motsi Mabuse tried to emphasise the positives in Anneka’s performance while Craig Revel Horwood looked anything but amused.
Head judge Shirley noted that Anneka had handled her props well and “coped” with the speed of the dance – but felt it was all too much as she pointed out the Welsh-born TV personality needed to work on her timing.
“It was a little bit frenetic for me, actually,” she said.
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“But you showed promise!”
Craig kept his comments short (“not very good”) while Motsi plumped for complimenting Anneka’s energy and ability to run.
However, Bruno’s words gave rise to a telling revelation from Anneka.
When he said her performance was more akin to ‘Slaughter the Charleston’ than Kill Bill, Anneka replied: “I didn’t even know it was meant to be a Charleston!”
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David achieved the second-lowest score of the round, with 16 points awarded for his American Smooth to Batman Forever’s Kiss from a Rose.
Last week Anneka scored 19 for her Waltz to Whitney Houston’s Run to You and 14 points for her Cha-Cha-Cha to Gloria by Laura Branigan in the first show of the 2019 series.
It appears her elimination was no surprise to anyone; some were angry that she apparently made no effort…
I'm sorry but that was absolutely pathetic of anneka to not put in anymore effort in the dance off ♀️ you might aswell just stood there and let kevin dance around you #StrictlyComeDancing
— Ellen Chu (@the_mellen) October 6, 2019
just like last night Kevin was putting in a hell of a lot more effort than Anneka!
the judges should vote her off.#StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly2019— Jehan (@1stLadyHooligan) October 6, 2019
Anneka is shit
that is all
She’s just running around with a stick #StrictlyComeDancing— JoJo (@jodie_clough) October 6, 2019
Well I already knew who had gone but having seen that performance, the result was most definitely the correct one. Goodness Anneka was so bad. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing
— (@Retiredlife01) October 6, 2019
Was Anneka even trying to get it right in the dance off? #StrictlyComeDancing
— Lottie (@lottiedavies29) October 6, 2019
– Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday on BBC One at 6.40pm
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