Strictly Come Dancing’s Dan Walker becomes tenth star to leave BBC series

Dan Walker and his professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova have become the tenth couple to be eliminated from ITV's Strictly Come Dancing.

The 44 year old, who recently said he's been secretly voting for Rose Ayling-Ellis to win the show, was voted off the show after facing a dreaded dance off with AJ Odudu, 33, and her partner Kai Widdrington, 26.

While Dan and Nadiya, 32, performed the Tango to Santa Maria by Gotan Project, AJ and Kai danced a Salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine/Gloria Estefan in a bid to impress the judges during Sunday 5 December's episode of the programme.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood, 56, gave a glowing review about Dan's performance, explaining that it was the best he'd seen the presenter dance all series.

However, his efforts were not enough to save him as Craig said: "Well I’ve got to say, Dan I think you did such a great job in the dance off, that’s the best I’ve ever seen you dance, ever!

"AJ, you totally nailed that last bit, that was fantastic, a dilemma, but the couple I am going to save is AJ and Kai.”

Motsi Mabuse, 40, agreed with Craig and decided to save AJ & Kai to go through to the semi-finals as she shared: "Dan you did a great job, AJ you did, for me, the better job, and I’m saving AJ and Kai."

Anton Du Beke, 55, shared: "You danced brilliantly, but the edge just goes, for me, to AJ and Kai," while Shirley Ballas, 61, added: "On this performance alone, I would have saved AJ and Kai”.

Despite being eliminated from the show, Dan had nothing but kind words to say about his time dancing with Nadiya and the experience he had.

“By the way I would have saved AJ and Kai as well!" Dan first said as he spoke with host Tess Daly, 52.

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Gushing over his time, he shared: "The last 11 weeks have been absolutely amazing, I’ve genuinely loved every second of it. When I go back to the first day when I was asked to dance in front of some glitter balls, at that point, if there had been a fire exit, I’d have just walked away. But this amazing woman grabbed me by the hand, and brought me out onto this dance floor.

"I’m not a dancer, but she showed me that I can dance, and that for me, this has been an absolutely incredible experience."

Dan, who recently hit back at claims that the BBC show is "fixed", went on to thank the judges, his fellow competitors as well as everyone who works on the show.

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He then added: "I also want to mention this amazing woman next to me, there are some people who walk into your life and turn some lights on, and that’s what she has done to me. You’re an amazing person, and if you’ll have me, you’ll have a friend for life Nadiya Bychkova.”

When asked if she had any words for Dan, Nadiya replied: “Like he said, sometimes the right person walks into your life at the right time and that’s what happened.

"You always encourage everyone, you always have time for everyone, it just inspires me to be a better person myself. Thank you.”

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