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Missy Keating exits Dancing with the Stars on her 21st

Missy Keating and Ervinas Merfeldas
Missy Keating and Ervinas Merfeldas

Missy Keating became the latest celebrity to leave Dancing with the Stars as the contest had its first dance-off of this year's run - and here's how it all unfolded.

It was particularly tough for her as it happened on her 21st birthday, though she added defiantly after elimination that she was "going out to party tonight".

As usual, proceedings opened with Jennifer Zamparelli and Nicky Byrne, with Nicky noting that "the contestants are very nervous" and Jennifer reckoning "we're in for an epic night".

First up were Missy Keating and Ervinas Merfeldas, performing a charleston to Out Out by Joel Corry & Jax Jones featuring Charli XCX & Saweetie.

Missy missed out on last week's show, but bounced back tonight. "It's challenging," she admitted, talking about doing a Charleston, "but I love a challenge."

Judge Loraine gave her the proverbial thumbs-up and said: "What a way to come back - with a funky Charleston . . . I think you really smashed it."

Nicky then asked Missy how she felt about dancing on her 21st, and she described it as "a dream come true".

The judges awarded them a total of 24 points.

Then it was the turn of Nicolas Roche and Karen Byrne, dancing a waltz to Love Ain't Here Anymore by Take That.

Judge Brian was in two minds about the performance. "When you're in balance, I loved it - but when you were out of balance, I hated it," he said.

"I don't know where to start," said Nicky when he spoke to them afterwards. But Nicolas was in no doubt about how he felt. "I'm definitely enjoying it a little more every week," he said.

The judges awarded them a total of 17 points.

Next up were Erica-Cody and Denys Samson, performing a salsa to Don't Go Yet by Camila Cabello.

Judge Arthur certainly enjoyed the performance. "This is the Erica we know and all adore," he said. "Your body language was exquisite. I couldn't stop smiling."

"That was a lot of fun," Erica told Nicky. "I'm absolutely delighted . . . that's what the show's all about."

The judges scored them a total of 27 points.

Next up were Billy McGuinness and Hannah Kelly, dancing an American smooth to Ain't That a Kick in the Head by Dean Martin.

"You're just so devoted to it," judge Loraine told Billy. "The posture and the hold in that frame, were very, very good . . . you were on every beat."

Judge Brian wasn't as enthusiastic, so Nicky encouraged Billy to go into gangster mode and respond to Brian.

"Listen Brian," Billy said. "I know people. Okay? And if you keep up the comments like that, you'll be swimmin' with the fishes tonight. Capiche?"

The judges awarded them a total of 18 points.

Ellen Keane and Stephen Vincent were next, performing a foxtrot to Love Story (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift.

A very enthusiastic Judge Arthur said: "Ellen, you are like a goddess. And you surprise me every time you step on the dance floor."

"I was so excited," Ellen told Nicky when he asked her about coming into this week's show after getting a 10 last week.

The judges gave them a total of 23 points.

The couple who are safe from this week's dance-off were next. Matthew MacNabb and Laura Nolan, dancing a cha-cha-cha to Dynamite by BTS.

"The song was wide awake but the dancing was a bit of a damp squib," said Judge Brian. "I know you were immune from elimination tonight, but I think you were a little bit immune to the cha-cha as well."

Matthew told Nicky: "I didn't think cha-cha would be my strongest suit, but I wanted to go out and do my best and I think I did that."

The judges awarded them a total of 12 points.

Next up were Gráinne Seoige and John Nolan, dancing a tango to Santa Maria by Gotan Project.

"You got it tonight Gráinne," Judge Loraine said afterwards. "But I have to say one thing - give me more body."

An impressed Nicky told Gráinne: "The femme Fatale is back!" To which she replied: "I loved it. It's my favourite dance."

The judges awarded them a total of 22 points.

The penultimate pair of dancers were Nina Carberry and Pasquale La Rocca, performing a Viennese waltz to At Last by Beyoncé.

"You made it look so easy," said Judge Arthur. "Who would believe that a jockey would be such a sensational dancer?"

I really enjoyed it," Nina told Nicky afterwards. "The last couple of days it just clicked with me and I started to enjoy it."

The judges awarded the couple a total of 30 points - the first 30 of the season!

Last up were Jordan Conroy and Salome Chachua, dancing a jive to Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars.

"The main thing with you is your musicality," judge Brian told Jordan afterwards. "It wasn't a home run, but you definitely smashed it."

"I don't know where you get the energy," Nicky said to Jordan. Still catching his breath, Jordan replied: "I don't know. Probably the Lucozade and the jellies!"

The judges awarded them a total of 29 points.

When the public vote ended, the results meant that the first dance-off of this season's Dancing with the Stars would be between Erica-Cody and dance partner Denys Samson, and Missy Keating and her dance partner Ervinas Merfeldas.

First up were Erica-Cody and Denys, and afterwards Erica-Cody told Nicky: "We've had an amazing time, and I hope we can keep on having an amazing time."

Erica-Cody and Denys live to dance another day

Missy and Ervinas followed, and then it was up to the judges, who decided who should go through.

First up, Arthur voted for Erica and Denys. Then Brian also nominated Erica and Denys, meaning Missy and Ervinas were eliminated.

Afterwards, birthday girl Missy told Nicky: "I'm going out to party tonight" before giving her dance partner a hug.

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