'Strictly' loses one of its biggest names in dance off elimination

Strictly Come Dancing has waved goodbye to one of its biggest celebrity names as the judges voted Matt Goss out in the third dance off.

The Bros singer and his partner Nadiya Bychkova lost out to Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima after the couples found themselves in the bottom two this week.

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All four judges opted to keep Marsh and Di Prima after they danced their Samba to 'Volare' by Gipsy Kings for a second time, with Goss and Bychkova going out on their Jive to 'All Shook Up' by Paul McCartney.

Earlier in the week, a friend of Goss had complained about Craig Revel Horwood's criticism of his performances, but in Sunday's results show the judge had some kind words for him.

Revel Horwood said: “I think both couples went up a major notch, I mean Matt you went fantastically mad in that, I loved it, and Kym you were really great in that. But the couple I would like to save is Kym and Graziano.”

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Anton Du Beke added: “I would just like to say you should both be thrilled with the way you performed in the dance off, it’s the most high pressured of situations. Matt - that’s your best performance of the whole series, you should be really proud of yourself. But the couple with the higher technical ability, I think for me, going through is Kym and Graziano.”

Motsi Mabuse agreed with them, as did Shirley Ballas who had received online abuse this week for voting differently to her co-stars in previous weeks.

Talking about his time on the show, Goss said: “It’s an extraordinary experience, I have been in America for 25 years. Thank you judges for your candour, you’ve helped me in many ways, my posture – Anton, I am more aware of it.

"This lovely lady beside me, a world champion with all the patience. I am very honoured to have danced with you, and everyone who is still in, I love you guys, go smash it guys.”

Bychkova put paid to any rumours that there had been tensions between her and Goss as she told him: "First, I’m so grateful that I got to teach and dance with a music icon. But, more important than this, I got the privilege to get to know Matt for who you really are. Not many people know you and you’re a beautiful soul, very kind human and a real gentleman.”

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.40pm on BBC One.

Watch: Who is Strictly's Matt Goss?