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Strictly eliminates eighth couple ahead of quarter-final

(L-R) Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe and Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon await the result
(L-R) Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe and Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon await the result

Actress Alex Kingston and her professional dance partner Johannes Radebe have become the eighth couple to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing.

The Doctor Who star and Radebe lost out in the dance-off to EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and professional dance partner Julian Caillon.

The couples performed their routines from Saturday night, with Kingston and Radebe dancing their Cha Cha Cha to Anita Ward's Ring My Bell.

Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe dance the Cha Cha Cha
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe dance the Cha Cha Cha

They failed to make it through to the quarter-final after the majority of the judges chose to save Sopal and Caillon, who danced a jive to Maxine Nightingale's Right Back Where We Started From.

Following the performances, the judges cast their vote, with Anton Du Beke choosing to save Kingston and Radebe while Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse saved Sopal and Caillon.

Head judge Shirley Ballas, who had the casting vote this week, decided to also save Sopal and Caillon, securing their place in Strictly's Musicals Week.

Alex Kingston salutes Johannes Radebe
Alex Kingston - "Everyone always says that their dance partner is a friend for life, but JoJo really will be"

When asked about her time on the show, Kingston said: "I had never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would last this long.

"It's been just the most incredible journey for me.

"I feel quite proud of myself because I've loved the process. I mean, 100%, you can tell by my smile. Everyone always says that their dance partner is a friend for life, but JoJo really will be."

Johannes Radebe salutes Alex Kingston
Johannes Radebe - "These memories are just the beginning for us"

Radebe added: "I've never grinned as much as I have in the last few weeks. Thank you, Alex, for being a trooper. I will hold on to the memories. As far as the dancing goes, I think we've achieved what we wanted to achieve.

"These memories are just the beginning for us. We can say that we are very much a Strictly family."

The remaining five couples will return to the Strictly dancefloor on Saturday for the Musicals Week quarter-final.

The Strictly contestants hug Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe
Alexander Kingston - "It's been just the most incredible journey for me"

Strictly Come Dancing will air on BBC One at 6:50pm on Saturday, followed by the results show on Sunday at 7:45pm.

Source: Press Association

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