Ellie Taylor paid a heartfelt tribute to her Strictly Come Dancing professional partner Johannes Radebe after the pair was voted out of the ballroom dance competition on Sunday.
The comedian, 38, joked twinkle-toed Johannes, 35, was the ‘best boyfriend I’ve ever had’, after admitting she ‘never imagined’ she would last as long as she did on the BBC show.
Ted Lasso actress Ellie was the ninth celebrity to be eliminated from this year’s series after finding herself in the dance off against singer Fleur East, 35, and her professional partner Vito Coppola, 30.
Moving: Ellie Taylor, 38, paid a heartfelt tribute to her Strictly Come Dancing professional partner Johannes Radebe after the pair was voted off the show on Sunday
Taking to Instagram to share a montage video of herself and Johannes after the result show aired, Ellie wrote: ‘A wild flipping ride I never imagined would last as long as it did.
‘@johannesradebe you are the best boyfriend I’ve ever had. Thank you for your laughter, your awful lyric learning and for letting me stare blankly into your beautiful face for eight hours a day as you teach me what is left and what is right.
‘Thank you for helping me make peace with my lankiness and making me believe that maybe I can in fact, despite a lifetime of telling myself otherwise, dance.
Series exit: Ted Lasso actress Ellie was the ninth celebrity to be eliminated from this year’s series
‘Thank you, Jojo for some of the most special months of my life.
‘Thank you for absolutely everything. Except the Cha Cha. That was f**king awful.’
During Saturday’s show, Ellie found herself at the bottom of the leaderboard after receiving a mere five out of ten points from judge Craig Revel Horwood.
Bye! Ellie and Johannes looked emotional as it emerged they had been chosen to leave the show by the judges
After landing in the bottom two, Ellie performed heir Jive to Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison in a bid to stay in the competition.
However the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke unanimously voted to save Fleur and Vito after they performed their Rumba to Too Lost in You by the Sugababes.
After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts.
Craig chose to save Fleur and Vito, explaining: ‘Based purely on the technique alone I would like to save Fleur and Vito.’
She’s out: Ellie and Johannes missed out on a spot on next week’s show after facing Fleur East and Vito Coppola in the dance off
Motsi also chose to save the couple, and said: ‘First of all I would like to say that both couples performed really really well, also for me the technical aspect was very important, so I’m going to save Fleur and Vito.’
Anton added: ‘Well I’d just like to say congratulations to both couples for getting this far into the competition. Both danced marvellously.
‘I thought Ellie danced a great performance in your Jive. And Fleur I thought your technique was strong and you performance was powerful, and I’d like to save Fleur and Vito.’
With three votes to Fleur and Vito, it meant they had won the majority vote and would be staying in the competition regardless, however Head Judge Shirley Ballas said she would also have decided to save Fleur and Vito.
Vote off: However the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke unanimously voted to save Fleur and Vito after they performed their Rumba to Too Lost
She said: ‘Both couples danced exceptionally well but on this occasion, down to the technique qualities, I’d have saved Fleur and Vito.’
Asked by host Tess Daly if had been everything she expected it to be, Ellie said: ‘It has and it’s been, I’m going to be a cliché machine now, buts it’s been everything and more. I never in a million years expected to be in for this long and to experience it so fully.
‘Strictly is about dancing but it’s also about the people, and every part of this show from the top to bottom, from the Execs to the make-up, to the hair to the costumes, to the sets to the band, to my fellow celebs and the dancers – even some of the judges have been alright! It’s been an absolute privilege to become part of the Strictly alumni and I’ve really really loved it.’
Ouch! During Saturday’s show, Ellie found herself at the bottom of the leaderboard after receiving a mere five out of ten points from judge Craig Revel Horwood
Safe: Craig chose to save Fleur and Vito, explaining: ‘Based purely on the technique alone I would like to save Fleur and Vito’
Asked about her special relationship with Johannes, Ellie said: ‘We’ve had so much fun. And to borrow an Anton-ism, let me tell you about you Johannes Radebe. You [Johannes] are as wonderful as everyone said you would be, and I’ve said you’re like human sunshine and you really really are.
‘You see people and you saw me, at every point. I have been so worried and so out of my comfort zone and so self-conscious and so weird and you have said ’embrace your weird Ellie’. You’ve done it so full-heartedly and without judgement.
‘It’s been an absolute privilege to dance with you JoJo, I don’t know what runs through your body but it’s not blood, it’s rhythm and it’s music, and to watch you perform is incredible.’
When asked if he had any words for his partner, Johannes said: ‘Oh my goodness – it’s been a pleasure, treasure, that’s our thing. Ellie Taylor, moving forward, embrace your weird! Embrace your long limbs, because you are one gorgeous person. So thank you for everything, you know my heart, thank you.’
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One on Friday at 8pm.
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2022: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
KYM MARSH
Age: 46
Profession: Coronation Street star and presenter
Kym says: ‘I’m so delighted that this year they have! I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress.’
ELLIE SIMMONDS
Age: 27
Profession: Former athlete
Ellie says: ‘To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it’s going to so much fun.’
TYLER WEST
Age: 26
Profession: Radio DJ
Tyler says: ‘It’s a show that means so much to me and my family and I can’t wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins.’
ELLIE TAYLOR
Age: 38
Profession: Comedian
Ellie says: ‘Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I’m absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022!’
TONY ADAMS MBE
Age: 55
Profession: Retired footballer and manager
Tony says: ‘To say I’m excited is an understatement – the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes’
WILL MELLOR
Age: 46
Profession: Actor
Will says: ‘I know it will be a huge challenge but that’s what life is all about. This is also my Mum’s favourite show and she’s had a really tough few years so I’m doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!’
MOLLY RAINFORD
Age: 21
Profession: Singer
Molly says: ‘I already know it’s gonna be an experience of a lifetime and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Strictly family I’ll be sharing it with.’
FLEUR EAST
Age: 34
Profession: Singer
Fleur says: ‘I’m equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year’s Strictly line up. I’m excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience.’
HAMZA YASSIN
Age: 35
Profession: Wildlife cameraman and presenter
Hamza says: ‘I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show.’
HELEN SKELTON
Age: 39
Profession: TV and radio broadcaster
Helen says: ‘I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started’
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