Gone in a flash

The Rev Richard Coles said he “can’t quibble” with the judges, as he became the second Strictly Come Dancing contestant to leave the show. The priest and former pop star, 55, who performed a Flash Gordon routine, said he was sorry to go, but admitted that he “really can’t dance”.

Every year Strictly Come Dancing produces its anti-hero (or heroine): the dancers so execrable that they are sustained in the contest by the viewing public just for the sheer fun of it. Past contenders for chief clod-hopper have been Ann Widdecombe, John Sergeant and onetime Cabinet minister Ed Balls. This year it has undoubtedly been the Rev Richard Coles, who stomped around the dance floor on Saturday dressed as Flash Gordon to the consternation of the judges but delight of the audience. Sadly, he has been eliminated, surely far too early given his potential to develop into a truly epic possessor of two left feet in the grand traditions of the programme. At least there are some compensations: Coles has lost a stone in weight. But who can take his place on Strictly?