Strictly Come Dancing star Mollie King misses out on final after losing dance-off to Gemma Atkinson

Mollie King’s Strictly Come Dancing journey came to an end after she was given the boot by the judging panel a week before the grand final.

The former Saturdays singer, 30, failed to impress after she was pitted against Gemma Atkinson in the dance-off after they both received the fewest public votes.

But the judges decided to give Atkinson a second chance after she performed the Tango with Aljaz Skorjanec.

King was left in tears on Saturday night’s show after her Samba with AJ Pritchard was heavily criticised by the judges who awarded her a measly 24 points.

Craig Revel Horwood said: “The rolls looked really awkward you were having difficulty going from one move to the next and you weren’t actually dancing on time to the music. That wasn’t great darling, I’m sorry.”

Bruno Tonioli added: “Tonight you missed the flight to Brazil. He was in Rio and you were stuck at the airport.”

She fared better with her Waltz, but it wasn’t enough to win over the judges when she performed it for a second time in Sunday night’s dance-off.

Alexandra Burke managed to avoid a third week in the bottom two after bagging a perfect score of 40 for her Salsa with partner Gorka Marquez.

The former X Factor winner received a standing ovation for the routine which was deemed “absolutely fab-u-lous” by Revel Horwood.

Holby City actor Joe McFadden finished with a combined score of 70 for his American Smooth and Argentine Tango which was hailed as “perfect” by Darcey Bussell.

Debbie McGee also finished on 70, but faced criticism from the judges, including Revel Horwood who compared her facial expressions to former contestant Judge Rinder.

Burke, Atkinson, McGee and McFadden will dance for the coveted Strictly glitterball trophy in next weekend’s final.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 6:30pm.