Judge Rinder has shuffled out of Strictly Come Dancing after losing a dance-off with sports presenter rival Ore Oduba.
But the departing TV star said it had been “a joy” to take part in the show and urged everyone to try the toe-tapping pastime.
He became the 11th contestant to leave the show alongside his professional partner Oksana Platero, with the judges voting unanimously to save Ore and his partner Joanne Clifton after each pair performed their routines again.
The judges’ scores were combined with the results of the viewers’ vote to decide the two lowest scoring couples to face each other in the dance-off.
Judge Rinder and Oksana did an energetic samba to Oh, What A Night from Jersey Boys, while Ore and Joanne did their foxtrot to Pure Imagination from Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, as part of the musicals theme.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood said Ore and Joanne had “better technique” and Darcey Bussell praised the duo’s “artistry and technique”.
Fellow judge Bruno Tonioli also preferred their performance to that of Judge Rinder and Oksana.
The TV barrister thanked Oksana and those involved in the show for having “so much love” for it.
He said: “It’s a joy to be here, every single person, there’s too many people to thank but I even want to thank the judges.
“You are never too old to try something new and everyone should try dancing, thank you so much.”
Oksana said her first season on the show had been an “unforgettable time”.
The remaining four couples, including celebrity dancers Claudia Fragapane, Danny Mac, Louise Redknapp and Ore, will be back on Saturday for the semi-final, ahead of the next results show on Sunday night.
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