Reverend Richard Coles has been booted from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 55-year-old musician and Church of England priest became the second celebrity to leave the BBC Latin and ballroom dance competition on Sunday (08.10.17), after failing to impress the voting public with his Pasodoble and landing himself in the dance-off.
Richard was forced to dance his routine – which was based on the movie ‘Flash Gordon’ – alongside professional partner Dianne Buswell for a second time when he became one of two pairs to face the dreaded dance off, with the other being Simon Rimmer and professional partner Karen Clifton.
And, after both pairs had danced again, it was Richard who was shown the door after all four judges – Shirley Ballas, Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel-Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli – decided to save celebrity chef Simon.
Darcey said before casting her vote: "This is always incredibly difficult because they both made improvements to their dance but the couple I would like to save, just for a better technical dance, is Simon and Karen."
But the Reverend – who landed himself at the bottom of the leaderboard this week after scoring just 14 points – wasn’t too disheartened to be leaving the show, as he said "it’s been a joy" to take part.
Speaking after the judge’s votes were cast, he said: "It’s been a joy. Every minute of it I’ve enjoyed, even when Dianne was hissing through her teeth ‘feet, frame, feet, frame’, it’s been completely joyous. I only forgot to reckon into my strategy that I can’t actually dance!
"[There’s been] So many highlights, I think really it’s coming together as a group of people, fellow celebs and pro dancers. It has just been a really really wonderful experience. And also it’s really important that none of this would have happened if it wasn’t for the fantastic crew, wardrobe, hair and make-up, production, the fantastic band and the judges too."
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ will be back next Saturday (14.10.17) on BBC One.
Reverend Richard Coles voted off Strictly Come Dancing
