The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Ellie’ s unable to let her jive do the talking
Ellie Taylor has become the ninth celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing, missing out on a place in next week’s quarter-final and musicals week.
Following the public vote, the Ted Lasso actress, 38, found herself up against Fleur East in the dance-off.
Taylor took to the floor to perform the jive to Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison with her professional partner Johannes Radebe.
After struggling to impress the judges with her Thelma & Louise-themed performance during Saturday night’s live edition of the BBC One show, Taylor once again left them feeling underwhelmed.
Singer and radio host East, 35, performed the rumba to Too Lost In You by the Sugababes with her partner Vito Coppola, and the judges then delivered their verdicts.
Craig Revel Horwood opted to save East, saying: “Based purely on the technique alone I would like to save Fleur and Vito.”
Motsi Mabuse agreed, and added: “First of all I would like to say that both couples performed really, really well, also for me the technical aspect was very important, so I’m going to save Fleur and Vito.”
Anton Du Beke also chose to save East but praised Taylor for her efforts, saying: “I thought Ellie danced a great performance in your jive. And Fleur I thought your technique was strong and your performance was powerful, and I’d like to save Fleur and Vito.”
With three votes for East and Coppola it was confirmed Taylor would be heading home, but head judge Shirley Ballas did also confirm she would have chosen to save East.
She said: “Both couples danced exceptionally well but on this occasion, down to the technique qualities, I’d have saved Fleur and Vito.”
When asked by host Tess Daly whether the competition had been everything she had expected, Taylor said: “It has and it’s been, I’m going to be a cliche machine now, but it’s been everything and more.
“I never in a million years expected to be in for this long and to experience it so fully.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to become part of the Strictly alumni and I’ve really, really loved it.”
Addressing his partner, Radebe said: “Oh my goodness – it’s been a pleasure, treasure, that’s our thing.”