Anneka Rice has become the second celebrity to be eliminated from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, following a tense dance-off against David James.
The Challenge Anneka star, who celebrated her 61st birthday on Friday, came bottom of the leaderboard on Saturday’s instalment of the BBC show, and on Sunday, the judges were seen unanimously voting to save footballer David, 49.
As she learned of her fate with ballroom partner Kevin Clifton, the bubbly TV personality remained positive, telling show host Tess Daly: ‘To be honest, I’d have saved David and Nadiya [Bychkova]. I’ve just loved this whole thing.’
Last dance: Anneka Rice and her dance partner Kevin Clifton became the second ballroom couple to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday evening
‘I’ve not one negative about the whole experience,’ she continued as she stood beside her dance partner. ‘We’ve worked really hard, I’m covered in bruises.’
Further acknowledging Kevin, she said: ‘I love this man; it’s been a joy to have that honour, that privilege of learning to dance. It’s a whole new world to me, Tess. I love all that gang up there! Now I’ve got 11 and a half [dance] moves!
‘My son is getting married next year, I’m determined to be able to shuffle onto the dance floor and not do my usual thing of handing out the canapes.’
Bottom two: The TV personality was in the bottom two with David James and Nadiya Bychkova
Had a ball: Anneka said that she ‘loved’ her time on the show as she spoke with host Tess Daly
All smiles: The 61-year-old star beamed as she hugged her competitors while saying goodbye
Kevin had equally glowing words for the TV star. as he told her: ‘You’ve put in so much commitment and so much effort.
‘We worked about four hours on one step on that Charleston and you delivered that waltz last week… then to come out and deliver that Charleston – the improvement you’ve made, I’m so proud of you, it’s been an absolute joy.’
The pair’s early exit was particularly notable, as Kevin is currently Strictly’s reigning champ, having secured the coveted Glitterball with his now-girlfriend Stacey Dooley.
This weekend, the stars competing on Strictly were tasked with giving their best Hollywood-inspired performances as they rook to the dancefloor for Movie Week.
However, Anneka and David found themselves facing off on the dancefloor during Sunday’s episode, after failing to overly impress judges and placing at the bottom of the leaderboard with scores of 11 and 16, respectively.
Dance moves: Charleston to Woo Hoo by The 5.6.7.8’s from the Quentin Tarantino movie Kill Bill
In character: The Challenge Anneka star dressed as Uma Thurman’s Bride from the 2003 film
Points: Despite the ballroom couple’s efforts, they scored 11 out of 40, landing at the bottom
Their scores from judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Bruno Tonioli, and Craig Revel Horwood were combined with the viewers’ votes to decide the bottom two.
With both couples required to perform their routines again, Anneka and Kevin hit the dancefloor once again for their Charleston to Woo Hoo by The 5.6.7.8’s from the Quentin Tarantino movie Kill Bill.
David and Nadiya performed their American Smooth to Kiss From A Rose by Seal, taken from the movie Batman Forever, in a bid to remain in the competition.
However, Anneka’s efforts in the ballroom proved futile as she was sent home with a unanimous vote, with Craig explaining: ‘For commitment and improvement, I’d like to save David and Nadiya.’
Champ: The pair’s early exit was particularly notable, as Kevin is currently Strictly’s reigning champ, having secured the coveted Glitterball with his now-girlfriend Stacey Dooley
Danced her way into my heart: Months after their win, the pair went public with their romance
Motsi said of her decision to save David: ‘I felt a more emotional show, a stronger couple – I’m going to save David and Nadiya.’
Bruno said: ‘I would go for the couple that was more convincing and that delivered more under pressure, the performance was up a notch from Saturday night. David and Nadiya.’
And while the three votes preceding hers sealed David’s position for the next week, head judge Shirley admitted: ‘Yes, I would have also saved David and Nadiya.’
Sunday’s Results show opened with a journey through the movies dancing to cinematic classics with our professional dancers, as well as Grammy and Emmy Award winner Harry Connick Jr. singing the Broadway classic Anything Goes.
The remaining 13 couples will take to the dancefloor next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 12th October at 6.40pm on BBC One.
Saved: The judges voted unanimously to save David James and his partner Nadiya Bychkova
Staying in the competition: During the dance-off, David and Nadiya performed their American Smooth to Kiss From A Rose by Seal, taken from the film Batman Forever
Hollywood: This weekend’s instalment featured the stars in costume for the theme Movie Week