Lawrence Robb has received support from his Emmerdale co-star Danny Miller after becoming the fifth celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing this year, following the show's first-ever three-way dance-off.
The actor, known for playing Mackenzie Boyd in the ITV soap, was paired with professional dancer Jowita Przystal for the BBC One contest. After six weeks in the competition, the couple fell victim to the new triple dance-off format during the annual Halloween special, broadcast on Saturday, October 31.
Halloween Special and the Leaderboard
The spooktacular episode saw elaborate costumes and routines fill the ballroom. Lawrence scored 26 for a tango to Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr., leaving him and Jowita just above Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita, and Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley, after those two couples landed joint bottom of the week six leaderboard.
During Sunday's (November 1) results show, it was confirmed that following the public vote, the three couples had received the lowest scores and therefore had to perform their routines again. Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu performed their Jive to I'm In Love With a Monster by Fifth Harmony, Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu performed their Salsa to Filthy / Gorgeous by Scissor Sisters, and Lawrence and Jowita performed their Tango to Ghostbusters.
Judges' Verdict and Reaction
After the three couples danced, the judges delivered their verdicts on who they wished to eliminate, rather than the usual dance-off rule where they would choose to save their favourite out of just two couples. It was a unanimous decision, as head judge Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood all chose to eliminate Lawrence and Jowita. Motsi Mabuse, who this week was the judge with the deciding vote, said that if her vote had been needed, she would have also chosen to eliminate them.
Speaking to presenter Emma Willis after his exit, Lawrence said: "It's quite hard to put into words. It's the most intense, the most incredible, the most loving, caring and wonderful family to be part of. The dancefloor is electric. I've got my mum and dad here, I got to dance for mum and dad again. I said to Jowita, 'I made a mistake and my head's in the clouds'. I cannot thank everybody: the judges, the cast, pros, you [Emma], the crew, everybody..."
Support from Emmerdale Co-Star
Danny, who plays Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale, shared a video of Lawrence's fate being decided to his Instagram Story and wrote: "One dance off? Nonsense that. Absolute nonsense." He added: "Chin up beautiful man @lawrencejarobb you've been amazing. We all adore you and I can't wait for your Rahman and a good ol' laugh at my house in the new year! Love you brother! I could never do what you've achieved in these last weeks. Be proud because I bloody well am!!"
Fans were also unimpressed with Lawrence's departure after the change to the dance-off format, which came after 22 years of the show. One viewer wrote: "Same 2 in the dance off and they send Lawrence totally wrong couple went home." Another complained: "Absolute stitch up Lawrence sent home but never been in dance off, compared to a certain someone who was saved?????? Really beginning to dislike this show." A third admitted: "I have never been more disappointed in a couple leaving ever." Another added: "Big mistake, he had more to give, never been in the bottom 2 before either, gutted for them both!"
