The second contestant to exit Strictly Come Dancing is Richie Anderson and his partner Giovanni Pernice after a shock dance-off with Fleur East. The radio DJ was booted from the show tonight after being in the bottom two with singer Fleur.
Richie and Giovanni danced their Samba to Hakuna Matata from The Lion King whilst Fleur and her dance partner Vito Coppola performed their American Smooth to Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid. Following the dance off, the four judges were asked to give their decision on who they'd want to stay in the competition.
Craig Revel Horwood was first to have his say after the couples went head to head. Saving Fleur, Craig said: "I would like to save the most accomplished technician and that is Fleur and Vito.”
Motsi was next to make a decision, and described it as "heartbreaking" and said it was the wrong people for the bottom two. "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," she admitted.
Anton du Beke was next to choose and if he picked Fleur, Richie would be sent home without a fourth judge decision. Unfortunately for Richie, Anton saved 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."
With three votes to Fleur, it meant Richie would be heading home, however when Shirley Ballas was asked for vote she said she would have saved Richie and Giovanni. She said: "Well with the two couples the public put in the bottom two I would have saved Richie and Giovanni."
After host Tess Daly confirmed Richie would be leaving, the radio DJ admitted: "Do you know what? As a Strictly fan I always thought it was a magical thing to be a part of. I also want to thank [Govanni] 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 also added: "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 super fan. 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."
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday at 6.30pm on BBC One.
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