Strictly Come Dancing 's Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice are the second to leave the 2022 series after facing Fleur East and Vita Coppola in the dreaded dance-off. It comes after Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington became the first to be voted off last week.
The contestants found themselves in the dance-off during Movie Week, which saw Richie and Giovanni perform a routine inspired by The Lion King, while Fleur and Vito opted for a number from The Little Mermaid.
Taking to the dance floor again following the public vote, Richie and Giovanni danced the Samba to Hakuna Matata, while Fleur and Vito performed their American Smooth to Part Of Your World.
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Following their performances, Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Fleur and Vito. He said: "I would like to save the most accomplished technician and that is Fleur and Vito."
Motsi Mabuse also chose to save Fleur and Vito. She said: "I think it's heartbreaking actually because I think both of you do not deserve to be here but this is how the public voted and based on this dance off I'm going to save Fleur and Vito."
Anton Du Beke then chose to save Fleur and Vito. Explaining his decision, he said: "Well I thought that was a well danced dance off. I thought both couples performed well, I thought one couple was a bit more sure footed about their performance and had a slightly better level of artistry about what they were doing, so the couple I would like to save is Fleur and Vito."
Despite Fleur and Vito winning the majority vote, Head Judge Shirley Ballas was asked who she would have saved. She said: "Well with the two couples the public put in the bottom two I would have saved Richie and Giovanni."
BBC viewers at home took to social media to share their thoughts, with many believing neither Richie nor Fleur should have been in the bottom two to begin with. One viewer wrote: "This is absolutely shocking!!! Neither of them deserve to be in the bottom two, what an absolute joke." While another added: "Ridiculous! Neither Fleur nor Richie should be in the bottom two."
And a third commented: "Furious! Really furious! Neither should have been in the dance-off." "Neither couple deserved to be in bottom two!" said a fourth. "So very sad!"
When asked by Tess about their time on the show, Richie said: "Do you know what as a Strictly fan I always thought it was a magical thing to be a part of, and being here it really is and it’s not just the people that you see on camera, the judges, and you and Claud and the amazing people that I’ve got to meet on this show. The people behind the scenes in hair, make up, costume, Tasha our runner, Stef, Jas, everybody.
"I also want to thank this guy [Giovanni] as well, he’s been so amazing, and I feel so lucky that I’ve got to dance with you every day. Not only are you a fantastic dancer but you are also a fantastic guy on top of that. I want to thank all my family and friends and my other half Dean who is in the audience, I love you so much.”
Giovanni was then asked if he had any words for his partner, Richie and said: "I have to say it's been an honour to be able to dance with you because I know how much you love Strictly Come Dancing, you really are a superfan. And I'm glad that you got to do this experience and glad that I got to do it with you.
"It's been a shame its been too short for us but I hope you've enjoyed every single second of it, and it stays in your heart forever. Look at us we've gone out dressed as Timon and Pumbaa. So lovely jubbly, well done Richie." For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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