And finally, newsreader Kate’s out of Strictly
NEWSREADER Kate Silverton saw her Strictly dream shattered last night after losing in the dance-off to ex-cricketer Graeme Swann.
All four judges voted to keep the retired England all-rounder after a tense decider in the show’s Blackpool showpiece.
Kate, 48, and partner Aljaz Skorjanec had staged one of their most impressive performances yet with a foxtrot and tango routine.
But Swann, 39, with professional Oti Mabuse, 28, edged their way into next week’s contest with a 1940s-style Broadway musical act.
Mother-of-two Kate said she was bowled over by the “magical experience” of taking part.
“On a night like tonight in such a place, I couldn’t have asked for anything better really,” she said. “I got to dance twice, went up in a hot air balloon twice, and I loved it twice.”
She also paid tribute to Slovenianborn Aljaz, 28, saying: “We have had what? Eleven weeks. And you have got me ballroom dancing. I am forever grateful to this man.”
Judge Dame Darcey Bussell said the voting decision was “really tough” while her colleague Bruno Tonioli added: “I have to go for the couple that gave the more accomplished and overall stronger performance.”
Meanwhile, former Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts, 37, and Pasha Kovalev, 38, scored the first perfect 40 points of the series for their jive.
Head judge Shirley Ballas told Ashley she had “pushed the envelope” and was “on form” while Tonioli said she had “earned her place in Strictly history” with the display.
Saturday’s programme brought a ratings boost for the BBC, with a peak of 11.3 million people tuning in, and an average of 10.2 million.