In one of the biggest shocks in Strictly Come Dancing history, singer Pixie Lott was eliminated from the BBC One show at the weekend.
Lott, one of the favourites, and professional partner Trent Whiddon, dancing the Cha Cha, lost out to Simon Webbe and professional partner Kristina Rihanoff, dancing the American Smooth, in the quarter-final dance-off.
Lott had been in second place after Saturday's show, winning the "waltz-a-thon" segment on the night, but illegal lifts on the dancefloor contributed to her exit from the series.
Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli voted to save Lott and Whiddon in the dance-off, but Darcey Bussell chose to save Webbe and Rihanoff, with head judge Len Goodman, who has the deciding vote, agreeing with her.
Goodman said: "I have to judge this on this one dance that I have seen - not what has been in the past, [or] what my expectations are in the future.
"I tell you - this is hard as a judge but harder as person, but I am judging it and I know when I drive home, in my heart, I have the right result for me, and my winners were Simon and Kristina."
After the result, Lott said of her time on the show: "I was absolutely loving it, I had the best time ever. I am sad that I won't get to learn the Salsa and the American Smooth next week.
"I have honestly loved this experience so much and I am so pleased that I decided to do it.
"I couldn't have asked for a better dance partner - honestly, Trent, you have been amazing. I have learnt so much and I am so grateful for it."
Whiddon added: "I couldn't have asked for a better partner, someone who is a super talent and so hard-working - the nicest, sweetest, most genuine person you could ever meet.
"I have had such a fantastic time. She is so fantastic and deserves all the success in the world. I wish her all the very best."
