Susannah Constantine was the first celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday, amid claims she had a ‘tantrum’ backstage.
The television personality, 56 and her partner Anton Du Beke were voted out by all four of the judges, after competing in a dance-off against boy band star Lee Ryan and his partner Nadiya Bychkova.
Susannah told the judges that they ‘made the right choice,’ and gushed to host Tess Daly that she felt ‘so lucky’ and ‘privileged’ to have taken part in the BBC show – but it was reportedly a different story behind the scenes.
First to go: TV presenter Susannah Constantine, 56, was the first celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday
When asked by Tess about her time on the show, Susannah said: ‘I know it has gone a bit quick, but you know what I just feel so lucky to have had three weeks learning to dance with Anton and to have met all these amazing people.
‘And for me they are the most important and I feel really privileged to have met them all, and it has been amazing.
‘And thank you (judges) you’ve made the right choice you guys, Lee and Nadiya were brilliant but Anton is still the king!’
Susannah’s partner, professional dancer Anton admitted: ‘It’s just all too brief, I have had the most fabulous time with Susannah, she is going to be a great loss to the show.
Time to say goodbye: The television personality, 56 and her partner Anton Du Beke were voted out by all four of the judges
Hugs: Gracious in defeat however, Susannah told the judges that they ‘made the right choice’
Grateful: Susannah gushed to host Tess Daly that she felt ‘so lucky’ and ‘privileged’ to have taken part in the BBC show
‘Sadly someone’s got to go but I wish it wasn’t you because you’re wonderful to be with. I’m going to miss spending time with you in the studio.
‘We’ve had a great time, we’ve had enormous amounts of fun and you’re wonderful and thank you very much indeed.’
But Susannah’s decorous on-camera comments appear to be in stark contrast to her rumoured backstage outburst.
Having landed at the bottom of the leader board last week, Susannah Constantine and Anton Du Beke hoped to work on their moves, but their Foxtrot to They Can’t Take That Away From Me by Frank Sinatra only secured a one from Craig and fours from the other judges on Saturday night.
Dance-off: Susannah and Anton once again performed their Foxtrot to ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me’ by Frank Sinatra in a bid to stay in the competition
Failed to impress: Their Foxtrot only secured a one from Craig and fours from the other judges on Saturday night’s live show
A source told The Sun: ‘Susannah ended up in tears after the scores were given out — she takes herself quite seriously and wasn’t happy about it.
‘She told people it was to do with her son going off to uni but she was obviously furious. She seemed to hate every minute of it.
‘She ignored the other dancers and didn’t talk to the judges and seemed to think she was above everyone else.’
The insider also claimed that Susannah was reluctant to praise fellow contestant Ashley Roberts on her superior marks and positive feedback.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Susannah Constantine and Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
Shocked: During the results show on Sunday night, Blue star Lee Ryan was the first to be told he would be taking part in the dance-off
No way! He appeared to be shocked as the news was announced, as was Bruno, who let out an audible gasp and praised Lee’s Saturday night performance
The judges’ scores this week were added to those from last week, and were then combined with the results of the viewers’ votes to decide the lowest scoring two couples facing the dance off.
During the results show on Sunday night, Blue star Lee Ryan was the first to be told he would be taking part in the dance-off.
He appeared to be shocked as the news was announced, as was Bruno, who let out an audible gasp and praised Lee’s Saturday night performance.
A short while later, Susannah Constantine was revealed as the second celebrity in the bottom two, and both couples performed their routines once again, going head to head in a bid to save their place on Strictly.
Not happy: A short while later, Susannah Constantine was revealed as the second celebrity in the bottom two
Dancing their hearts out: After both couples had performed their dance-off routines, the judges delivered their verdicts
Susannah and her partner Anton Du Beke danced their Foxtrot, while Lee and his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova performed their Jive to ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ by Elvis Presley, in a bid to impress the judges and remain in the competition.
After both couples had performed their dance-off routines, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig Revel Horwood kicking things off by chosing to save Lee and Nadiya.
He said: ‘For me it’s a no brainer and the couple I would like to save is Lee and Nadiya.’
Darcey Bussell chose to save Lee and Nadiya, admitting: ‘I have to say that both couples made a great improvement tonight, thank you.
‘But the couple I would like to save on a more rounded, stronger performance is Lee and Nadiya.’
Bruno Tonioli also chose to save Lee and Nadiya, saying: ‘It’s obvious I have to save the overall better couple, and to my eyes Lee and Nadiya were the winners.’
Commiserations: Susannah Constantine was spotted leaving her London Hotel on Sunday carrying flowers after being evicted on the first live eviction show on Strictly on Saturday night
All smiles: Susannah appeared to be in good spirits as she clutched onto her bouquet of pink flowers and a cigarette
Easy breezy: Susannah looked completely at ease as she strolled away
Head Judge Shirley Ballas agreed with her fellow judges, and said she too would have chosen to save Lee and Nadiya.
After learning their fate, and thanking everyone, Susannah and Anton performed their final, farewell dance, with the professional dancer lifting the television presenter up into his arms and twirling her around.
The couple were then swarmed by their fellow celebrity contestants and professional dancers, who embraced them in heartfelt hugs.
Sunday’s Results show also featured a group routine from our sensational professional dancers, plus a musical performance from chart-topping singer and songwriter George Ezra who performed his number one hit, Shotgun.
The remaining fourteen couples will take to the dancefloor next week in a spectacular Movie Special, when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 6th October at 6.30pm with the results show on Sunday 7th October at 7.45pm on BBC One.
Happy: She seemed relaxed after being eliminated from the BBC dancing show