Strictly reveals sixth celeb to be axed after high scoring couple end up in the dance off for first time
STRICTLY Come Dancing has revealed the sixth celebrity to be axed after another shock dance off.
The two couples who found themselves in the bottom two tonight have never been in the dance off before.
And one, Montell Douglas, was a shock to see there having finished in the top half on the leaderboard after Saturday night's live show with pro partner Johannes Radebe.
She went up against Sam Quek in the dance off, and ultimately, the judges opted to send the former England hockey player and her pro partner Nikita Kuzmin home.
Sam and Nikita danced an American Smooth to Love Story by Taylor Swift as part of Strictly's first ever Icons Week, and ended up third from bottom of the leaderboard with 29 points.
Meanwhile Montell and Johannes danced a Waltz to I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston and scored an impressive 35 points, placing them fourth on the leaderboard.
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However the public vote changed all that and saw the two women end up dancing again.
After they had performed, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke unanimously voted to save Montell and Johannes.
Speaking to host Tess Daly after the decision was made, Sam said: "I’m gutted, I just want to say thank you. I’ve learned so much.
"Strictly has just brought that spring in my step back. It’s just been an absolute joy."
Speaking to her partner, she added: "Nikita, you’ve been key in helping me find that inner Sam that was there, who went a little bit quiet for maybe one or two years and has just come back.
"I’m gutted because I do feel like I still have more to give.”
Nikita said: "I’m just in awe of this girl. Sometimes they say it’s about the journey, not the destination, but to me it’s about the company.
"Sam you are the most wonderful company I could have had.”
The feeling was mutual as Sam replied: "I’m guilty of watching the competition and thinking ‘how do they have that relationship as a celebrity and a dancer?’
"All I can say is, the time you spend with each other and what you bring out in each other.
";It really is, and it sounds dead cheesy, magical.”
Strictly Specials
- Movies Week - Each year the cast of dancers on the show perform spellbinding routines to an iconic movie soundtrack or hit song associated with the big-screen blockbusters. Previous films to have been featured include The Sound of Music, Bridget Jones' Diary and Clueless.
- Musicals Week - In a similar vein to Movies, the cast perform routines inspired by hit stage musicals each year on the show.
- Halloween Week - Things take a seriously spooky turn as the show transforms into a haven for Halloween towards the end of October. With some bone-chilling costumes and sometimes terrifying routines, it proves to be a fan favourite week year-on-year.
- Blackpool Week - As the show hits Blackpool Tower, things get even more over-the-top. Huge props, backing dancers and extra special effects flood the ballroom for the extra special week.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.