Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe have become the ninth couple to exit Strictly Come Dancing.
The comedienne and actress found herself in the dreaded dance-off alongside her professional dancing partner Johannes Radebe and Fleur East and Vito Coppola. Ellie and Johannes Radebe danced their Jive to Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison again whilst Fleur and Vito performed their Rumba to Too Lost in You by the Sugababes in a bid to stay another week.
After their routines, it was down to the four judges - Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke - to give their verdicts and decide who made it through to the next round.
Craig Revel Horwood was the first to give his verdict and chose to save Fleur and Vito.
"Based purely on the technique alone I would like to save Fleur and Vito," he said, before Motsi also chose to save Fleur and Vito. Giving her opinion, she praised both couples before adding: "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 Du Beke was next to give his decision - where he said they both danced "marvellously".
"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," the professional dancer shared as he chose to save the Sax singer.
With three votes already, Shirley's vote was not needed - but she agreed she would have saved Fleur and Vito, adding: " Both couples danced exceptionally well but on this occasion, down to the technique qualities, I’d have saved Fleur and Vito."
As they were given the verdict, both Ellie and Johannes got emotional as they reflected on their exit.
Speaking about 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."
Johannes also paid tribute to his friend, adding: " 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."
*Strictly Come Dancing will air live on Friday 2 nd December at 8pm.
