Claudia Fragapane has been kicked off ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 19-year-old gymnast narrowly missed out on a place in the final of the BBC One latin and ballroom show after the judges – Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli – unanimously opted to save Danny Mac and professional partner Oti Mabuse.
Speaking to hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after her exit, she said: "I can’t believe I made it this far to be honest. Everyone is so lovely and I’m just so happy that I’ve made it this far and everyone has just been incredible people, and to come out and not be as confident as I was, I feel like a different person now, all thanks to this show."
And addressing her dancing partner AJ Pritchard, she added: "Oh you have been absolutely amazing, you really have pushed me to the best of my ability. You have been so lovely to me and you’ve really boosted my confidence and it’s all thanks to you."
And AJ was full of praise for the star.
He said: "I’m just so proud of her, so proud of how far you’ve come and just how confident you are now. Thank you."
In the dance off, the two lowest scoring contestants – Danny and Claudia – were asked to perform one of their dances again. Claudia and AJ opted to dance the quickstep to ‘When You’re Smiling’ whilst Danny and Oti performed their American Smooth to ‘Misty Blue’.
‘Strictly Come Dancing – The Final’ will be broadcast next Saturday (17.12.16) at 6.40pm on BBC One, where Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton, Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton and Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse will dance three routines in a bid to lift the coveted the 2016 Glitter Ball trophy.
Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard leave Strictly Come Dancing
