Strictly Come Dancing’s three finalists have been revealed after Chris Ramsey became the latest celebrity to get the boot.
EastEnders actress Emma Barton, 42, CBBC star Karim Zeroual, 26, and ex-Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, 35, will go through to the final.
Comedian Ramsey, 33, and his dance partner Karen Hauer, 37, were knocked out of the BBC One competition in the semi-final.
We won't watch you cry, but we'll watch you Rumba @IAmChrisRamsey and @karen_hauer. 🤩 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/Qo4LZu9q8r
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) December 7, 2019
They lost their chance of getting their hands on the glitterball following a dance-off with Zeroual and Amy Dowden.
The couples performed in front of judges Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
Judges opted to save Zeroual, saying he was the “best dancer” and that the pair’s routine was “brilliant”.
Ramsey, who has become a household name since joining the show, said he is “very proud of myself” to have got so far.
“I never ever thought I would make it past week two, genuinely I had no expectations whatsoever,” he said.
Anyone else feel the urge to sing along while watching @kayzer_1 and @dowden_amy's sweet American Smooth? 👏 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/rFe4Qgn4py
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) December 7, 2019
“I am astounded and I’ve got to thank Karen – she is just amazing and so patient it’s crazy!
“I had sleepless nights in the build up and there is no-one else who can have made it what it has been.”
Hauer described their experience as a “giggle fest” and said Ramsey, a former co-presenter of I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp, did not know how to walk when he first stepped through the Strictly door.
She told her dance partner, who was emotional on Saturday night’s show: “From week one, not knowing how to walk, and now you are a semi-finalist and you have made all of us proud and have inspired all of us and I want to thank you for being awesome.”
Both couples performed their choice of routines from Saturday’s show again – Ramsey a Rumba and Zeroual the American Smooth.
Ramsey said in a post on Twitter that his Strictly journey had been “absolutely epic”, and also congratulated the three finalists.
Guys, it’s been absolutely epic! I can’t thank you all enough for the support you’ve given me @bbcstrictly
Massive congrats to @EmmaBarton @kayzer_1 and @kelvin_fletcher – going to be an incredible final!
And all the thanks in the world to @karen_hauer. You’re a legend mate!
— Chris Ramsey (@IAmChrisRamsey) December 8, 2019
Strictly professional Hauer said that the couple had done “what people thought impossible”.
In a long message on social media, she wrote: “Oh Friend! We did what people thought impossible. An absolute novice who took 6 months to learn his wedding day dance to a man who danced 13 dances in front of millions and created atmosphere & character through it all. How did you get there? I’ll tell you how.
“You were your absolute self the whole way through this experience. You never tried to be anything other than who you are & what a fantastic trait to show the Strictly audience”.
She ended her long post writing: “I don’t mind if you don’t keep dancing, but before you hang up those shoes, you better give Rosie that one she’s owed, now you can do it properly. Kx”.
The remaining three couples will take to the dancefloor for the Strictly Come Dancing grand final on December 14 on BBC One.