Strictly Come Dancing saw its eighth elimination on Sunday night, with Angela Rippon becoming the latest celebrity to leave the competition after facing Bobby Brazier in the dance-off during the show's iconic Blackpool week.
The 79-year-old former newsreader and her professional partner Kai Widdrington performed an American Smooth to Tea For Two by Ella Fitzgerald, while Bobby Brazier, 20, and Dianne Buswell danced a Jive to Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham!. Despite both couples delivering strong performances, the judges unanimously chose to save Bobby and Dianne.
Craig Revel Horwood said: 'There’s a standout performance for me that I can’t ignore and the couple that I would like to save are Bobby and Dianne.' Motsi Mabuse added: 'I felt that both couples danced so beautifully. Really one of the most beautiful dance-offs we have had. I am going to save Bobby and Dianne.' Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas also voted to save the younger pair.
After her exit, Angela described the experience as 'the most terrifying, the most fantastic, the most glorious, the most joyful' time of her career. She praised her partner Kai, saying: 'He’s an old soul on young shoulders. He’s 28 and I’m 79, there’s a 51-year difference in our ages. He has looked after me so brilliantly.' Kai responded: 'Dancing with you the whole way through this competition has just been such a celebration of yourself and her life.'
Angela's departure follows controversy last week when she was saved over Krishnan Guru-Murthy, with some fans alleging the judges kept her in for Blackpool week due to her history as a former host of Come Dancing.
