Strictly Come Dancing’s Danny John-Jules missed out on a spot on the bus to Blackpool after becoming the seventh celebrity to leave the competition.
The Red Drawf star was eliminated after a tense dance-off with Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse, needing head judge Shirley Ballas to make the final decision.
John-Jules, who has been embroiled in a “bullying” controversy for several days, failed to convince the judges he should get the chance to compete in the famous Blackpool Tower ballroom after his Samba to Feels Like Home by Sigala.
It started well for the star as Craig Revel Horwood chose to save him, calling him the “best dancer” out of the pair, but his hopes were soon dashed as Dame Darcey Bussell ruled Swann had made less mistakes.
Tonoli hailed the dance-off as a “nightmare” before opting to save Swann, leaving the final decision to Ballas.
Talking about his experience to Tess Daly, John-Jules said: “It’s been a great experience and I’m just so unhappy I didn’t get Amy to where she needed to be. And I just think that as I said before, everything I have done on this show is because of Amy.
“It was her training, her choreography that got me here. I can only look as good as her dancing and you know, she is great, and I hope that her career goes up and onwards as she deserves.
“My children love her they are probably going to be watching this now really sad. And I know that they love you, and I love you.”
Dowden, who joined the show last year, added: “I just think it’s lovely that the nation has been able to see your talent and to see you back out there performing again, so thank you for delivering such amazing performances week in, week out.”
Earlier in the week, John-Jules was accused of “reducing his partner to tears” after an intense rehearsal, with a source claiming the Welsh professional had been “constantly in bits”.
A BBC source shut down the claims and confirmed the duo had a “small disagreement in the dance studio” but that it was quickly resolved on Wednesday.
Elsewhere during Sunday night’s show, fans were in tears at a “beautiful” tribute to the Women of the Royal Air Force, lead by Dowden, featuring the RAF Spitfires Choir and serving women.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday November 17 at 6.45pm on BBC One, live from Blackpool.
