Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe became the latest couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing in Sunday night’s results show.
The duo made a shock exit after ending up in the bottom two with Mike Bushell and Katya Jones.
The episode saw both couples perform their Halloween week dances again before the judges made their decisions.
Choosing to save Mike and Katya, Craig Revel Horwood said the BBC Breakfast broadcaster had “really stepped it up a notch.”
Motsi Mabuse then chose to save Coronation Street star Catherine and Johannes, telling them: “I felt a strong performance, stronger body actions, stronger leg actions.”
Bruno Tonioli also opted to save Catherine and head judge Shirley Ballas then had the deciding vote.
“Well, I thought both couples really step it up a notch and this is always the most difficult decision for me,” she explained. “But based on a good focus, difficult content, with some really beautiful footwork in there with stronger technical skills for me, cleaner and polished.
“I’m going to save Mike and Katya.”
When asked by Tess about her time on the show, Catherine praised her dance partner and “best friend” Johannes.
“I never thought I’d say this, I’m going to keep it up because I fell in love with it,” she said. “I’ve loved every second, this man has changed my life.”
Praising Catherine, Johannes said: “I want to say thank you to this woman. She has been a light for me. Thank you for accepting me for who I am and for showing me joy every day. Thank you.”
Catherine had found Halloween week tough and Saturday’s episode saw her docked for points for making a series of small mistakes in her Cha Cha to the Steps track Scared of the Dark.
Will Bayley and Janette Manrara were missing from this weekend’s episodes after the Paralympian suffered an injury just hours before the live show took place.
They received a bye and will return next week.
Neil Jones was also absent due to injury.
His partner, Alex Scott, won plaudits for facing the daunting task of teaching last-minute stand-in Kevin Clifton their whole routine, with just an hour to go until the show.
The remaining ten couples will take to the dancefloor when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday November 2 at 7pm.
