Strictly Come Dancing: Anneka Rice is the second celebrity eliminated after judges save David James

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hollywood: This weekend’s instalment featured the stars in costume for the theme Movie Week

Strictly Movie Week: Leaderboard

Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse: ‘Trip A Little Light Fantastic’ by Lin-Manuel Miranda from Mary Poppins Returns – Charleston –  38 points

Dev Griffin and Dianne Buswell: ‘Friend Like Me’ by Will Smith from Aladdin – Couples’ Choice – 36 points

Michelle Visage and Giovanni Pernice: ‘Cabaret’ by Liza Minelli from Cabaret – Quickstep – 35 points  

Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe: ‘Shallow’ by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper from A Star Is Born – Rumba – 32 points   

Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard: ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ by Lorde from The Hunger Games – Paso Doble – 28 points

Emma Weymouth and Aljaž Škorjanec: ‘Downton Abbey’ by John Lunn from Downton Abbey – Foxtrot – 28 points

Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke: ‘Soul Bossa Nova’ by Quincy Jones from Austin Powers – Salsa – 27 points

Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden: ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ by Karl Douglas from Kung Fu Panda – Samba – 26 points 

Will Bayley and Janette Manrara: ‘Gotta Catch ‘Em All’ by Jason Paige from Pokémon – Paso Doble – 23 points 

Alex Scott and Neil Jones: ‘How Far I’ll Go’ by Auli’I Cravalho from Moana – Rumba – 23 points 

Chris Ramsey and Karen Hauer: ‘Cheek To Cheek’ by Frank Sinatra from Top Hat – American Smooth (Foxtrot) – 22 points 

Mike Bushell and Katya Jones: ‘It’s Raining Men’ by The Weather Girls from Magic Mike – Cha Cha – 18 points

David James and Nadiya Bychkova: ‘Kiss From A Rose’ by Seal from Batman Forever – American Smooth (Viennese Waltz) – 16 points

Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton: ‘Woo Hoo’ by The 5678’s from Kill Bill – Charleston – 11 points 

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