Strictly Come Dancing: Michelle Visage is eliminated from the show in Blackpool

Michelle Visage praised her ‘incredible’ dance partner Giovanni Pernice as she said an emotional goodbye during her shock Strictly Come Dancing exit on Sunday.

The Drag Race star, 51, was kicked out of the competition during the Blackpool Special when she failed to impress the judges or viewers with her Street Commercial routine – set to the tune of Vogue by Madonna.

Michelle and Giovanni, 29, were left in the bottom two with Saffron Barker, 19, and AJ Pritchard, 25, after Saturday’s performance.

She’s gone? Michelle Visage praised her ‘incredible’ dance partner Giovanni Pernice as she said an emotional goodbye during her shock Strictly Come Dancing exit on Sunday

But their rivals’ Quickstep to Marvellous Party by Beverley Knight just scraped Saffron and AJ through into the next leg of the competition. 

Before leaving the Strictly ballroom Michelle gushed about her ‘amazing’ experience and called Giovanni her ‘rock’ and ‘best friend’.

‘At 51 years old and never danced in my life, I never thought I’d be able to do what I have done and to have such an incredible partner,’ she enthused.

‘To be here for my husband and my kids and the entire community, that’s why I did what I did. I am so honoured to be welcomed by my new friends here.

‘Obviously I couldn’t have done it without Giovanni. He has been so amazing, so transformative. Just my rock and my best friend throughout this entire competition.’

Upsetting: The Drag Race star was eliminated from the show after losing to Saffron Barker in the dance-off

Upsetting: The Drag Race star was eliminated from the show after losing to Saffron Barker in the dance-off

Addressing rumours they argued during rehearsals, Michelle added: ‘He could take it as much as he could dish it, and I needed somebody like that. 

‘I’m going to miss seeing him every day. I would never have wanted to do this with anyone else.’

On Saturday seven celebrity couples took to the dance floor of The Blackpool Tower to compete for their place in next week’s competition. 

After the bottom two couples competed in their dance off, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Bruno Tonioli and Shirley Ballas each picking AJ and Saffron to go through. 

Leaving: Speaking after her elimination, Michelle gushed about her 'amazing' experience and called Giovanni her 'rock' and 'best friend'

Leaving: Speaking after her elimination, Michelle gushed about her ‘amazing’ experience and called Giovanni her ‘rock’ and ‘best friend’

But the decision was ‘really difficult’ for Craig, who said he usually knew instantly which couple he preferred.

He added: ‘This doesn’t normally happen to me. This has been really, really difficult. 

‘One couple took all the notes on board and one couple were better. And the couple I’ve decided I would like to save is save is Saffron and AJ.’ 

Motsi added: ‘I feel like we saw two brilliant dances. Its so, so tough this week, I have to say. But I’m going to save Saffron and AJ.’ 

Bruno congratulated both couples. He said: ‘It’s so competitive its unbelievable.

‘You both really raised the game tonight – much, much better than Saturday. And it’s very hard to decide but based on what I saw somebody I really thought nailed the dance. Right on the money. Saffron and AJ.’   

Tragic: Despite earning praise for her Street/Commercial Couple's Choice in honour of pop icon Madonna, Michelle and Giovanni finished bottom of the leaderboard

Tragic: Despite earning praise for her Street/Commercial Couple’s Choice in honour of pop icon Madonna, Michelle and Giovanni finished bottom of the leaderboard

Giovanni applauded his ‘inspirational’ and ‘phenomenal’ celebrity dance partner Michelle.

He added: ‘You are wonderful. We laugh, we cry, we fight and we argue and we’ve done everything but I’ve loved every single second.

‘I am so proud of everything we’ve done. I’m here to say thank you, thank you, thank you.’

Sunday’s Results show opened with a special group dance on a grand scale for the legendary Tower Ballroom, as well a performance from Westlife performing their new single Hello My Love, as well as a medley of their hits.

The remaining six couples will take to the dancefloor next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 23rd November at 7pm.

Back soon: The remaining six couples will take to the dance floor next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 23rd November at 7pm

Back soon: The remaining six couples will take to the dance floor next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 23rd November at 7pm

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