Strictly’s Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton axed after getting thrashed in the dance-off by David James
ANNEKA Rice is the second person to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing after losing the dance off to former footballer David James.
The presenter, 61, and her partner Kevin Clifton, 36, failed to impress the judges enough with their Charleston to save themselves.
The pair performed a Kill Bill-themed routine for Movie Week but the routine fell flat with judges, scoring them just 11 points – and placing them at the bottom of the leaderboard.
She lost out to David James and his partner Nadiya Bychkova, who edged them out with a Batman-inspired rendition of the American Smooth.
Their routine to Seal’s Kiss From A Rose gave them the edge with judges – and scored them 16 points – even though it was their second week in a row in the dance off.
Fans were “disappointed” with Anneka for her performance in the dance off – with many accusing her of “giving up”.
One person wrote: “I like Anneka but was very disappointed with her, she didn’t look like she was trying and looks like she gave up and that’s a bit disrespectful to the show at the end of the day #Strictly”.
Another said: “Anneka Rice applied no effort whatsoever. Poor Kevin Clifton deserves better. Never missed an episode but worst dance I’ve witnessed thus far.”
A third added: “Was Anneka even trying to do anything that reesembled a dance move there? She looked like me at the end of a shift at work pretending to give a s*** and failing #Strictly”.
Despite trying her best to keep up with the tempo of The 5.6.7.8s’ Woo Hoo on Saturday, the panel were not convinced.
Head judge Shirley Ballas was laughing at the end of the dance and had to compose herself, before saying Anneka looked amazing but the routine was too “frenetic”.
Bruno Tonioli wiped away tears as he laughed, then said: “Here’s what happened – it was supposed to be Kill Bill, but you did slaughter the Charleston.”
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This is a dramatic drop in form for Anneka, who scored 19 points for her Waltz in last week’s episode.
The pair were supported in the crowd by Kevin’s girlfriend and winning partner from last year, Stacey Dooley.
She recently described the veteran presenter as her “beautiful, mad, excited aunt” on It Takes Two.
On the other end of the board, Kelvin Fletcher was awarded the first tens of the series for his Charleston with partner Oti Mabuse.
Their routine – danced to Trip A Little Light Fantastic from Mary Poppins Returns – won a standing ovation, as well as tens from Shirley and Bruno.
The other two judges, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse, awarded nines.
Shirley told the former Emmerdale actor: “You made a difficult routine look absolutely superb.”
Last week, rower James Cracknell and partner Luba Mushtuk were the first pair to leave the competition.
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