Kym Marsh and professional partner Graziano Di Prima became the tenth dancing duo to be kicked out of Strictly Come Dancing during Saturday’s results show.
The actress, 46, narrowly missed out on advancing to the semi-finals after taking on Molly Rainford and her partner Carlos Gu in the dreaded Week 11 dance.
On Saturday’s live show, Kym came bottom of the leaderboard as she returned to the dance floor after being forced to miss last week’s show due to a positive Covid test.
Goodbye! Kym Marsh and professional partner Graziano Di Prima became the tenth dancing duo to be launched from Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday’s results show
Kym received rave reviews from the judges during Musicals Week but still ended up with lower marks than her peers, scoring 34 points – with two nines from Motsi and Shirley.
And after the public vote, Kym and Graziano landed in the bottom two alongside Molly, 22, and performed the Cha Cha at the musical Fame in a bid to stay in the contest.
Former Britain’s Got Talent star Molly and her dance partner Carlos also took to the stage for a second performance of their Charleston at Hot Honey Rag from the musical Chicago.
However, the judges picked Molly and Carlos to advance to the semi-finals, after she came in second place with 38 points during Friday’s live show.
Tension: The actress, 46, narrowly missed out on advancing to the semi-finals after facing off against Molly Rainford and her partner Carlos Gu in the dreaded dance-off
Nervous: Kym looked tense before the show where she found out she would have to dance again
After the two couples danced for the second time, Craig Revel Horwood delivered his verdict, sending Molly and Carlos to next week’s live show.
He said: “It’s always so difficult at this stage of the competition because both couples danced brilliantly, I don’t want to see any couple leave.”
“I’m really splitting hairs, but the couple I want to save, based solely on the best dance tonight for me, is Molly and Carlos.”
Motsi Mabuse then gave Molly and Carlos another vote saying, “First of all I want to tell you both that you can be so proud of yourselves. You have both been great and amazing. I’m gonna base my decision on this dance and I’m gonna save Molly and Carlos.
Sweet: Host Tess Daly then asked Kym if she had any final words, and she then gushed about her ‘friend forever’ Graziano, saying she didn’t expect to go this far in the competition
But Anton Du Beke then saved Kym and Graziano, giving the deciding vote to Chief Justice Shirley Ballas.
Delivering his verdict, he said: “As you would expect at this point in the competition, the quality of the dancing was amazing, I thought both couples were dancing brilliantly, but I felt that one couple raised his game with a freedom they don’t have on Friday nights, and because of that, I’m going to save Kym and Graziano.’
In the deciding vote, Chief Justice Shirley then decided to save Molly and Carlos, meaning it was Kym and Graziano who were sent packing.
She said: ‘Well, first of all, congratulations to both couples. Both couples danced exquisitely, it was a very difficult decision to make. But based on this dance and this dance alone, I’m going to save Molly and Carlos.
Verdict: Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both saved Molly and Carlos, while Anton Du Beke saved Kym and Graziano, with Shirley Ballas dispatching the former with her deciding vote
Upset: Molly reacts after being placed in the bottom two again on Saturday night’s show
Host Tess Daly then asked Kym if she had any final words, with the former Hear’Say singer then gushing over her ‘friend forever’ Graziano, saying she didn’t expect to go this far in the competition.
She said: ‘Honestly, I’ve loved every second I’ve been here. I never thought I would get to this point in a million years. I must say that everything depends on this man [Graziano] here he is just wonderful and he will be my friend forever.
“But what a journey it’s been, this show is just wonderful, it shows you things about yourself that you don’t know, it shows you how tough you can be.
‘Everyone, the crew, the celebrities, the pros, the costumes, the makeup, everyone is amazing. I had a great time, so thank you.
Out: On Saturday’s live show, Kym came bottom of the leaderboard as she returned to the dance floor after being forced to miss last week’s show due to a positive Covid test
Kym went on to praise her family for their support, saying watching her on the show has kept her father “carrying on”, after he was hospitalized last week.
She continued, “My dad was so proud and it kind of kept him going. When he was in the hospital last week, and obviously we weren’t there, all these guys sent him videos and it meant so much. My grandchildren are so proud.
When asked if he had any words for his partner, Graziano replied: “I will be part of your family forever, I think we became friends from day one.
‘I know you learned to dance, but I learned so much from you, you are a warrior. You are going to be in my heart forever, we are going to be together many times, because I know I have found a friend for life.’
Scores: Kym received rave reviews from the judges but still ended up with lower scores than her peers, scoring 34 points – with two nines from Motsi and Shirley
His elimination came after she and her professional partner Graziano Di Prima danced a Cha Cha to Fame the musical during Friday’s live show.
The show has been moved to Friday nights from its usual Saturday slot due to World Cup scheduling, while the results show will take place on Saturday nights at 5.40pm.
Kym received very positive feedback from the judges, but still found herself bottom of the standings, scoring 34 points – with two nines from Motsi and Shirley.
Giving his opinion, Craig said: “There’s no room for error in a leotard, you’ve got the body of a 20 year old!” I loved the solo stuff and the hip action you did brilliantly. Motsi then added, “The brashness and energy were there and you came back strong!”
Tough: Kym then praised her family for their support, saying watching her on the show has kept her father ‘carrying on’, after he was hospitalized last week
Praise: About her performance, Anton said: ‘It was great, you are a great jazz dancer, your work is so clean and the timing was impeccable’
Shirley said: “I’m in awe of how much you can move your body and you look amazing, the little you did on your own was so impressive and you gave it your all, I’m thrilled to have you see again.”
Anton said: “It was great, you are a great jazz dancer, your work is so clean and the timing was immaculate!”
Elsewhere during the jam-packed episode, Helen Skelton and partner Gorka Marquez topped the leaderboard along with Will Mellor and Nancy Xu.
They both scored an impressive 39 points, Helen and Gorka for their Couple’s Choice dance and Will and Nancy for their foxtrot.
The remaining five couples will take to the dance floor next week for the semi-final when Strictly Come Dancing goes live on Sunday December 10 at 7.15pm, with the results shown Monday December 11 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Wow! Elsewhere during the jam-packed episode, Helen Skelton and partner Gorka Marquez topped the leaderboard along with Will Mellor and Nancy Xu
