COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Former Bond star Colin Salmon has become the third celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing.



The actor and his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff left the competition after finishing in the bottom two alongside showbiz reporter Richard Arnold and professional Erin Boag.

Both couples performed their foxtrot routines for a second time in the dance-off, with Salmon dancing to 'Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive' and Arnold Shirley Bassey's 'Big Spender' in a effort to impress the judges and stay in the competition.

Craig Revel Horwood delivered his verdict first and chose to save Arnold.

"One couple in the dance-off was better, and one couple was worse," he said. "It just proves that can happen, and the pressure is enormous.

"But based on this performance alone, the couple I would like to save is Richard and Erin."

Darcey Bussell also chose to send home Salmon. "I find this so hard. I wouldn't have either of these couples in this dance-off personally," she said.

"I'm going to so miss the ones I'm not going to save, but I'm going to save Richard and Erin."

Bruno Tonioli then confirmed Salmon's exit by voting to save Arnold.

"I've got to say without question, this is one of the greatest shows I've ever been involved in," said Salmon after learning his fate.

"The quality of the competitors this year is seminal... Anybody who is out there who may have doubts, you have to understand that this is a discipline beyond anything we understand. So I accept with grace this decision.

"I'm going to miss Kristina," he continued. "She is an amazing dancer... she's taught me many, many things."

Rihanoff added: "It's been an emotional experience, but I have enjoyed every single second working with this gentle giant."

Sunday's results show featured The Wanted, who sang their new single 'I Found You' and Andrea Bocelli, who performed opera classic 'Nessun Dorma'.

Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday (November 10) at 6.30pm on BBC One.