'Strictly' judges faced with another shock dance off as one popular couple goes home

Strictly Come Dancing's judges had another difficult decision to make this week as two popular couples found themselves in the dance off.

Jayde Adams and her partner Karen Hauer were in the bottom two against Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu - but the judges unanimously decided to send comedian Adams home.

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Scores from Saturday night's show are combined with votes from viewers to choose who will be up for elimination each week, with the judges making the final decision, but they have explained before that there is often a shock result because fans believe favourite contestants will be safe and do not vote for them, saving couples who look like they might be in trouble instead.

CBBC star Rainford has been tipped as one of the strongest dancers in this year's line-up, while viewers had loved Adams and Hauer's partnership - only the second all-female pairing on the show - calling it "joyful".

Judge Anton Du Beke told the bottom two couples: "Well it’s terrible really. The dance off is such a difficult place to find yourself, and it’s so disappointing and I thought both couples didn’t succumb to that disappointment and performed really, really well."

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Head judge Shirley Ballas agreed that "both were absolutely superb in the dance off", but along with Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood, they all chose to save Rainford and Gu.

Saturday's BBC theme tune inspired show, celebrating the broadcaster's centenary, saw Adams dance a Charleston to 'The Ballad of Barry and Freda (Let's Do It)' by Victoria Wood, while Rainford took on the Couple's Choice to the Grange Hill theme tune.

Adams, a Strictly superfan, said: "This has been the best thing I have ever done in my life and I will carry it to my grave, and it has been an absolute pleasure working with you [Karen] and learning about so much that will go into my own stuff, in my own work.

"You are one of the most gifted people I have ever worked with Karen. And everyone on this show said it to me, when I had you, they said ‘you’ve got the best one’, sorry everyone, and I did and you are fantastic and this has been such an honour. Not only have I got to be on Strictly Come Dancing but I got to have Karen Hauer, you are amazing, thank you for everything!

"I’ve done shows before, and nothing holds a candle to the way that this show is run. It is an incredible thing to be a part of as a performer, we are so looked after, and in this industry where so many people aren’t looked after, this show is incredible, well done everyone.”

Hauer told her: "It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for us, and you are so special, so powerful, so emotional, and I’ve loved every second. Thank you Jayde."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.50pm on BBC One.

Watch: Who is Strictly's Jayde Adams?