Yahoo News Strictly: Seventh star leaves the ballroom after 'life-changing' journey
Another contestant has been eliminated from the BBC ballroom contest
What did you miss?
Krishnan Guru-Murthy said Strictly Come Dancing had been “life-changing” as he became the seventh celebrity to be eliminated from the competition.
The newsreader received his marching orders from the BBC ballroom contest after he and his pro partner Lauren Oakley ended up in the dreaded dance-off against Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington.
As he exited the competition, he said it had been “incredible” and that Oakley had made it “special”.
What, how, and why?
Guru-Murthy ended up in the bottom two after Saturday night's show (11 November), which saw him and Oakley scoring just 25 out of a possible 40.
On Sunday, 12 November, they returned to the dancefloor to perform their Samba to Bamboléo by Gipsy Kings, and while they raised their game it wasn’t enough to keep them in the running to get their hands on the coveted Glitterball.
Rippon and Widdrington — who scored 32 on Saturday — performed a Paso Doble to Madonna’s Hung Up, and won over judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Revel Horwood said that while Guru-Murthy “upped” his game, he was sending Rippon through to the Blackpool stage.
Mabuse did the same, confessing that she had found it tough to pick between the two dancers.
“To be honest I’ve never been so undecided in my decision, I’ve been going back and forth, back and forth,” she said.
“In the end I’ve decided for fundamentals and technical level so I will be saving Angela and Kai.”
Du Beke followed suit, saying that it was a “super dance-off” and that they all did well, but that he was going to go with Rippon because of “the cleaner technique” and “the more recognisable fundamentals”.
Head judge Shirley Ballas said she would have decided to save Guru-Murthy. However, with three votes in Rippon’s favour, Guru-Murthy was sent home.
He looked emotional about ending his Strictly journey, saying: “Look this has been the most incredible experience. I said it has been life-changing and it genuinely has.
“I am incredibly grateful to the entire production team, judges, my incredible Strictly family up there.”
The TV star went on: “It’s right I am going out this week and I have got to get back to life.”
Guru-Murthy also said his partner Oakley had made the contest “really special”.
“She is most incredible teacher, partner, friend,” he said. “She is the real Strictly star and I am so delighted I am the first partnership you have had.
"She is going to go a long way and I am very proud of her.”
Oakley looked touched and said the celeb was what the show was all about.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better first dance partner, it has been an absolute dream,” she said.
“This guy is what Strictly is about from not having danced a step eight weeks ago and you just danced that Samba! I had an absolute ball every single week. You taught me so much as well, I am so grateful and it will be in my memory forever, and we will keep dancing.”
What did fans say?
Many viewers admitted they were "gutted" that the star was out.
"What a gent," one posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"Gutted, but so happy to have watched Krishnan’s journey."
"Disappointed in that result tonight," said another.
Someone else wrote: "It’s not going to be the same without @krishgm you’ve been an inspiration and I’m so sad to see you go."
What else happened on Strictly?
The episode also saw the show’s professionals dancing a stunning Remembrance Sunday routine.
There was also a performance from Andrea and Virginia Bocelli, who did their own rendition of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.
The remaining seven couples will take to the dancefloor when the Strictly Blackpool Special returns to the Tower Ballroom on Saturday 18 November at 6.40pm on BBC One.
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