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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Lottie Gibbons

BBC Strictly's Fleur East posts statement after dance-off against Richie Anderson

Fleur East said she is "so grateful" for the support of Strictly Come Dancing fans as she survived the dance-off on Sunday.

Fleur and Vito Coppola scored 29 for her American Smooth to Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid. Judge Motsi Mabuse said: "I enjoy watching you dance so, so much, you are one of the most talented people I have seen on this show and I want you to start to explode."

Head judge Shirley Ballas said the couple had "beautiful chemistry". Craig Revel-Horwood said: "I think it was a little bit haphazard and left to chance. There were some really lovely moments."

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Fleur, who said the Disney film was one of her favourites, added: "This was a childhood dream for me."

However, despite the decent score, Fleur found herself in the dance-off against Richie Anderson. Both danced for a second time with three out of the four judges voting for Fleur.

Craig Revel Horwood commented: "I would like to save the most accomplished technician, and that is Fleur and Vito." Motsi Mabuse said: "I think it's heart-breaking 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 also opted to save Fleur, saying: "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."

After receiving three votes, giving them a majority, Fleur and Vito were safe, however Shirley, 62, said she would have opted to save Richie.

Following the dance-off, Fleur took to Twitter saying she will come back stronger next week. She said: "So grateful to have been saved by the judges. So sad to see my friend Richie go! - thank you for all of your supportive messages we will work really hard this week."

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