LEWIS COPE ELIMINATED FROM STRICTLY COME DANCING AHEAD OF NEXT WEEK'S SEMI-FINAL

Tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing Musicals Week results show saw Lewis Cope and Katya Jones leave the competition, following a dance off against Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. 

Both couples performed their routines again. Amber and Nikita performed their Charleston to Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat from Guys and Dolls, before Lewis and Katya performed their Salsa to Dance at the Gym from West Side Story. 

After both couples had danced a second time in the dance off, the judges delivered their verdicts:   Head Judge Shirley Ballas chose to save Amber and Nikita. Anton Du Beke chose to save Amber and Nikita. Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Amber and Nikita.

Motsi Mabuse - who this week had the casting vote - also decided to save Amber and Nikita, who secured their place in Strictly’s Semi Final.   

When asked by Tess about his time on the show, Lewis said: “It's been more than I could have ever wished for. If someone would have said that I'd have done 11 weeks on the show at the beginning, I'd have been over the moon and snap their hand off. So, thank you to the full show, to everyone for having a space where people can be themselves, grow, learn, express themselves...

"It's been incredible and a memory that I'll have for the rest of my life, and [to Katya] I think it's all down to you. You've literally given me absolutely everything I could wish for as a friend, as a teacher, and yeah, I couldn't imagine it with anybody else. So, thank you very much.”

Speaking to Lewis about their partnership, Katya then said: “I think you have created so many moments for Strictly Come Dancing that will be in the history books and  you will be remembered as one of, if not, the best male celebrity we've ever had on the show, but also you will be remembered for being an incredible person you are. Kind and genuine people still exist - what a gentleman you are, so humble and so kind. And I'm so glad that we had a chance to see you and showcase your talent and what a beautiful person you are to the world. Thank you.”

When asked by Tess about the support he’s been shown on the show, Lewis said: “It's everything, isn't it? I mean, what is life without people? And this show, I've seen how it's brought people together, not just in my family, but it seems to lift people up. And it's definitely brought my family, four generations, together every Saturday night - my Nana Dot sitting there smiling all the time. You know, young boys who thought that dancing wasn't accessible for them or whatever. They started dancing now and have sent us videos. And you know, if you can change one person's life like that, then that's enough.” 

Sunday’s Musicals Week results show also featured the Strictly Professionals dancing a sizzling group number to Cell Block Tango from Chicago, plus a performance from the cast of the Olivier Award-winning musical Titanique.

Strictly Come Dancing continues this Saturday on BBC One.