Strictly Come Dancing viewers ‘felt sorry’ for Anton Du Beke after he and Jacqui Smith were the first couple to be eliminated from the series.
The MP and the Strictly pro were sent home after failing to win over the audience vote, after falling bottom of the leaderboard this weekend.
The duo were up against Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer in the dance-off.
However, when it came to the vote, all three judges voted to save Jamie and Karen.
In an emotional goodbye to the show, Jacqui told Tess Daly: ‘I had the greatest adventure it’s possible to imagine.
‘I’m just sorry I can’t continue it with this man who has been absolutely fantastic and gorgeous to be with.’
‘But I don’t feel too much shame in losing to these guys because they are a fantastic bunch of dancers, they really are,’ she continued. ‘So I’ll be watching you and supporting you.
‘To Anton, I would like to say you have been just an absolute joy to be with.
‘I am so pleased and proud to have spent this time with you, and to everybody on the programme – I don’t think people realise just how brilliant the team is that put this programme together, and if ever we need Strictly, we need it now. So thank you so much.’
‘I’ve loved every second of being in the studio with you,’ Anton added.
‘We have laughed, you have a shocking sense of humour I can’t begin to tell you. You are just the best and I’ve loved it.
‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
Taking to Twitter after the first elimination, viewers were gutted to see the duo leave the series. Many also said they ‘felt sorry’ for professional dancer Anton.
One commented: ‘Can’t help but feel sorry for Anton, he always gets the short straw! He got to show some true potential last year.’
Another tweeted: ‘Poor Anton. Will he ever get to lift the glitterball trophy?’
While one added: ‘I feel sorry for Anton.’
Jacqui and Anton found themselves in last place after week one’s scores were added to the scores of this week.
This week, they performed a Samba to Tom Jones’ cheeky classic, Help Yourself, but only managed to earn.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 7.25pm, with the results show Sunday at 7.25pm on BBC One.
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MORE: Strictly Come Dancing 2020: Jacqui Smith and Anton Du Beke first eliminated couple