Third time unlucky
Agonisingly missing out on Blackpool, Daisy Lowe and Aljaž Škorjanec have become the eighth couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing tonight.
They faced off against Greg Rutherford and Natalie Lowe in the dreaded dance off, after the judges' scores were combined with the results of the viewers' vote. It marked Greg's first time and Daisy's third time in the dance off.
Daisy and Aljaž performed their 60s-inspired Salsa to Deee-Lite's 'Groove Is in the Heart', while Greg and Natalie did their powerful Paso Doble to 'Tamacun' by Rodrigo y Gabriel.
On Saturday's show, the judges scored both dances 31 and the vote proved to be just as tight. For only the second time this series, head judge Len Goodman had to make the deciding vote.
Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell both chose to save Greg and Natalie, while Bruno Tonioli opted to save Daisy and Aljaž before Len saved Greg and Natalie for their "far more polished and technical performance".
Following her exit, Daisy described her Strictly experience as the "sparkliest" she's ever had.
"I've met people I will have in my life forever and it's taught me so much more than I ever expected about myself and about my confidence," she enthused.
Aljaž added: "I think our story ended too soon, I'm so proud of her. I was proud of her from day one; she comes into rehearsals every day and gives it her best so that's all a teacher can ask for from a student."
As sad as we are to see Daisy go, it does of course mean that Ed Balls has made it to Blackpool and will be strutting his stuff on the iconic Tower Ballroom dancefloor, which can be nothing other than glorious.
As well as a performance from André Rieu, the results show featured a special Remembrance Sunday routine with AJ Prichard and Chloe Hewitt telling the enduring love story of 93-year-old Basil and Madge Lambert, with the pair joining the dancers at the end of the routine.
Strictly Come Dancing airs its Blackpool special next Saturday (November 19) at 6.55pm and Sunday (November 20) at 7.15pm on BBC One.
