JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBANK ELIMINATED FROM STRICTLY COME DANCING

Tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing results show saw Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley leave the competition following a dance off against Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin.

Both couples performed their routines again. Amber and Nikita performed their Cha Cha Cha to Break Free by Ariana Grande. Jimmy and Lauren performed their American Smooth to Purple Rain by Prince.

After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts: Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Amber and Nikita. Motsi Mabuse chose to save Amber and Nikita. Head Judge Shirley Ballas chose to save Amber and Nikita.

Anton Du Beke - who this week was the judge with the casting vote – said that he would have chosen to save Amber and Nikita should he have been required to vote. Amber and Nikita therefore secured their place in Strictly’s annual Halloween special next week.

When asked by Tess about his time on the show, Jimmy said: “I have absolutely loved my experience. I can only say thank you very much for letting me have this experience and to my daughters for pushing me to come here and do this. I never expected that I would enjoy it this much. The people behind the scenes, from the wardrobe people to the hairdressers to the make-up people, are absolutely magnificent – thank you very much. This experience is going to live with me forever. Most importantly, [to Lauren] this girl, she is just absolutely incredible. She has been absolutely amazing with me. [To Lauren] You are a diamond.”

When asked by Tess how much she has enjoyed teaching Jimmy, Lauren said: “Oh I enjoyed it so much and I am absolutely gutted that it’s come to an end.  We’ve had so many laughs. We have had the best time and I am so proud of how far he has come. And it proves that anyone can be a dancer if you put your mind to it. He’s a footballer! And he just danced like that. We’ve had the best time and I’m just so proud and I feel honoured to have been able to teach you. You’ve been an amazing student’”

Jimmy – who last night achieved his highest score of the competition so far - then added: “The only thing you can do is dance as best as you can and then it’s up to the public. I was actually quite happy to dance again because I wanted to do better than my previous one. So listen, I have had a blast. From the people up there [pointing to the other couples], to the judges – thank you very much for your comments.” 

Sunday night’s results show featured a performance of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina by Hollywood and West End star Rachel Zegler, accompanied by a routine from our fabulous Professional Dancers Nikita Kuzmin and Luba Mushtuk. The Strictly Professionals also performed a Britney Spears group dance, paying tribute to Britney’s many iconic eras.

Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday on BBC One and iPlayer.