Strictly Come Dancing’s Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton exit the competition after Movies Week

The duo failed to impress the judges with their Kill Bill-themed Charleston 
Bottom two: Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton faced David James and Nadiya Bychkova
BBC/Guy Levy
Rachel McGrath6 October 2019

Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton have become the second couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

The duo ended up at the bottom of Saturday night’s Movies Week leaderboard and failed to pick up enough votes to avoid the dance off.

The TV presenter and her pro partner faced David James and Nadiya Bychkova, who were also in the bottom two last week.

Once each pair had performed their routines again, the judges gave their comments - and all opted to save David and Nadiya.

“For commitment and improvement, I’d like to save David and Nadiya,” explained Craig Revel Horwood, before Motsi Mabuse said: “I felt a more emotional show, a stronger couple. I’m going to save David and Nadiya.”

Explaining his decision, Bruno Tonioli said: “I would go for the couple that was more convincing and that delivered more under pressure, the performance was up a notch from Saturday night. David and Nadiya.”

Head judge Shirley Ballas then added that she would also have saved the former England goalkeeper.

Reflecting on her time on the show, Anneka said she did not have “one negative [to say] about the whole experience.”

“It’s been a joy to have that honour, that privilege of learning to dance,” she continued. “It’s a whole new world to me Tess. I love all that gang up there. Now I’ve got 11 and a half [dance] moves.

“My son is getting married next year, I’m determined to be able to shuffle onto the dance floor and not do my usual thing of handing out the canapes.”

Kevin then told her: “You’ve put in so much commitment and so much effort.

“We worked about four hours on one step on that Charleston and you delivered that waltz last week… then to come out and deliver that Charleston.

Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton commiserate after leaving the competition
BBC/Guy Levy

"The improvement you’ve made, I’m so proud of you, it’s been an absolute joy," he concluded.

The remaining 13 couples will perform again next Saturday.

They include favourites Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse, who earned the first 10s of the series with their Charleston on Saturday night.

Mike Bushell, whose partner Katya Jones suffered a tumble during their live performance, will also hit the dancefloor.

Strictly Come Dancing 2019 Launch - In pictures

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