Seventh couple are eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2016

TV presenter Laura Whitmore and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice have become the seventh couple to leave this year's Strictly Come Dancing.



They faced off against Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton in the dreaded dance off, after the judges' scores were combined with the results of the viewers' vote. It marked Laura's second time in the dance off and Ore's first time.

Laura and Giovanni once again performed their energetic samba to Gipsy King's Bamboleo', while Ore and Joanne did their sizzling Salsa to 'Turn The Beat Around' by Vicki Sue Robinson.

On Saturday's show, Ore and Joanne scored 34 points to Laura and Giovanni's 32, and the judges followed suit by voting unanimously - again - to save Ore and Joanne.

Following her exit, Laura revealed it was "upsetting" to leave Strictly but added that it's "not a funeral".

"It's such a great opportunity to be part of this and make so many friends and I've really enjoyed my time with Giovanni and learning so much," she enthused.

"We've made it to week seven and I think she did brilliantly," Giovanni added. "I really enjoyed dancing with her. In my opinion, the Samba was good but unfortunately we were in the dance off with Ore."

Last night's show marked Laura's first time back in heels, two weeks after being forced to pull out of a Strictly live show.

The result means that despite finishing bottom of the leaderboard, Ed Balls managed to again avoid the dance off, and remain firmly on track for Blackpool which, as we all know, would be glorious.

Sunday's results show also featured a performance from Gary Barlow.

Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday (November 12) at 6.55pm and Sunday (November 13) at 7.15pm on BBC One.