Holly Valance, Alex Jones exit 'Strictly Come Dancing'

[dutchman]

Holly Valance and Alex Jones have both been eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing.



The former Neighbours actress and the One Show star were voted out after last night's semi-final, leaving Harry Judd, Chelsee Healey and Jason Donovan to battle it out in the final.

Jones and her professional partner James Jordan finished bottom of the leaderboard with a combined total of 65 points out of 80 for their waltz and salsa, while judges awarded Valance and Artem Chigvintsev 70 points for their Argentine tango and charleston.

Speaking to hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after the result, Jones said: "I've had an incredible time, and when I'm old and grey I'll look back at these three months and I'll think that was a brilliant time."

On her relationship with Jordan, she added: "We've laughed 80% of the time, apart from when I get left and right wrong! But it's just been fantastic, and to meet all the other 13 contestants and pro dancers and everybody backstage has just been an incredible experience. He has just been able to work miracles, and done it in such a funny way."

Valance, meanwhile, said that she was "grateful" to have made some "beautiful" new friends during Strictly and praised Chigvintsev for his "brilliant" work.

"I'm just proud that we've been part of the most successful Strictly," she commented. "The British public has been incredible, this is much further than we ever thought we could ever imagine.

"I think besides working with the most brilliant choreographer I've ever witnessed in my entire life, I've made beautiful new friends, and I'll be able to take them with me. The show will end, but all of my new friendships will keep going, so I'm very grateful."

Chigvintsev took the opportunity to bestow Valance with some seldom-heard words of praise, saying: "I'm very strict in the rehearsals all the time, and I never really compliment my partner as I should more often. I just want to say [to her] thank you so much. You have been absolutely terrific. Just thank you."

The Strictly Come Dancing final airs next Saturday (December 17) at 7pm on BBC One.