Loose Women star Judi Love has become the fifth celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing.
The TV personality and comedian, 41, and her professional partner Graziano Di Prima were in the dance-off against Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty and his partner Katya Jones.
Love returned to the show on Saturday night for a Halloween special after missing the week before due to testing positive for coronavirus. She made her comeback with a cha cha to Physical by Olivia Newton-John, scoring 25 points.
Hey my lovelies our beautiful journey on @bbcstrictly has ended but trust we will not stop dancing. So much love for @GrazianoDiPrima and thank you to everyone that support us!! Keep dancing 💃🏾 🕺🏽❤️ So proud of what we’ve achieved #Teamjudiandgraz #StrictlyComeDancing #JudiLove pic.twitter.com/eVNES658qj
— Judi Love (@1Judilove) October 31, 2021
Peaty and Jones served up a Viennese waltz to Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.
After both couples danced again, it was a unanimous decision by the judging panel to save Peaty.
Craig Revel Horwood said: “I think it’s a tough year for celebrities to sign up for Strictly, there is so much dance talent that you are competing with.
“All that being said, I have a personal preference and that personal preference, on their dance tonight, is Adam and Katya.”
Motsi Mabuse added: “I have to say that dance-off was really great, it was great to watch both couples dancing on the dancefloor.
“The decision was made for me and so I have to say that the couple that I will be saving is Adam and Katya.”
Anton Du Beke said: “When these two couples danced these dances last night, I gave them the same mark.
“Watching them tonight, they both made mistakes, but the couple who pushed through with their routine in a stronger way is Adam and Katya.”
With three votes to Peaty and Jones, the majority vote had already saved the pair, but head judge Shirley Ballas had also decided to vote in their favour.
Love told co-host Tess Daly she had a “life-changing experience” on Strictly.
She added: “Can I just say I’m taking Graz home! I will keep dancing.
“This has been an amazing experience, a life-changing experience. I want to say thank you to all the professional dancers, the judges, the team, everybody.
“Graziano has supported me, stuck by me, and took me to a place I never thought I could go and so, for that, I love you so much. Thank you.”
Di Prima said: “First of all, I’ve made a friend for life.
“She is one of the strongest women I’ve ever met, this woman has been in rehearsal every day, for every dance, given me 150%, and you know what I love the most – you are true, you are real, so thank you so much.”
The first 40 of the series for Rose and Gio and the earliest 40 ever in the history of #Strictly! Giovanni is STILL the King of #Halloween.@RoseAylingEllis @pernicegiovann1 pic.twitter.com/gdIDnPW3Dw
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) October 30, 2021
Love and Di Prima had previously faced the dance-off in week four against actor Greg Wise and Karen Hauer, and in week three against actress Katie McGlynn and Gorka Marquez.
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice made Strictly history on Saturday night as they scored 40 in week six, the earliest the top mark has been achieved.
The actress and her professional partner performed a tango to Ed Sheeran’s latest hit Shivers, and received a surprise video message from the singer thanking them for dancing to his song.
The Halloween special opened with a group routine by the professional dancers which featured a host of classic villainous characters, including Voldemort, the Wicked Witch, Harley Quinn and The Joker.