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Strictly Come Dancing 2018, week 8 results: Danny John-Jules eliminated in wake of bullying allegations

Danny and Amy's samba - WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture
Danny and Amy's samba - WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture
  • Danny John-Jules and pro partner Amy Dowden become the seventh couple eliminated from Strictly 2018

  • Cricketer Graeme Swann survived the dreaded dance-off for second time

  • Remaining eight couples now head north for next week's Blackpool special

  • Talking Strictly: subscribe to The Telegraph’s podcast with Debbie McGee and friends

  • Ballroom Bulletin: sign up to our Strictly newsletter, your essential weekly companion

Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules joined Dr Ranj, Seann Walsh, Vick Hope, Katie Piper, Lee Ryan and Susannah Constantine on the sequin-spangled scrapheap. 

Here are all the talking points and social media reaction from Sunday night’s results show… 

Bullying controversy caused Danny's exit... 

... But his dip in dancing form didn't help. Two misfiring routines in a row did for Danny John-Jules and saw his Strictly journey come to a premature end. Last week's quickstep and this week's samba - two of the trickier styles in the Strictly repertoire - left him bottom of the scoreboard for two weeks running.

Is he a superior dancer overall to Graeme Swann? Well, yes - not to mention several other celebrities still in the contest. Ultimately, though, it was those bullying allegations, with tabloids reporting that he'd reduced pro partner Amy Dowden to tears, that sealed the Red Dwarf actor's fate. 

They meant he and Amy were distracted in the last few days of training. They perhaps meant producers were keen to see him go, hence giving him the "death slot" on Saturday's show. They maybe meant the judges scored him harshly. They definitely meant that viewer votes didn't come in. That Cat's nine lives were all used up and he slinks off home with his tail between his legs.

It's still something of surprise to see Danny exit this early - especially as he looked a possible finalist and was dubbed "Mr Consistency" by Shirley Ballas just two weeks ago. On pure dancing ability, it's the biggest shock since Aston Merrygold's early elimination around this stage last year. And it's surely a Strictly first that the celebrity who scored the first 10 of series didn't end up making it to Blackpool. 

This isn't just a dancing competition, it's a popularity contest too. Danny has learnt that the hard way.

Danny says his goodbyes
Danny says his goodbyes

Amy bowed out but will she be back?

In only her second series on Strictly, you felt for Caerphilly professional Amy Dowden as she once again failed to make it to Blackpool. Whatever the precise truth of the bullying allegations, she clearly had a hard-to-handle partner and a torrid two months in the training room. Competitive as Amy doubtless is, she might well be secretly relieved that the pair's partnership is over.

It was notable that, in her farewell interview, Amy praised Danny's performance levels and the pride of his children, but didn't mention their own relationship. 

Still, at least she got to lead tonight's splendid group dance. As one of the few home-grown pros and the first ever Welsh one, we hope Amy is back next series. 

Danny and Amy's farewell embrace
Danny and Amy's farewell embrace

blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">

Well for somebody who has allegedly been bullied & given a final warning! @dowden_amy isn't exactly coming across as happy about being set free!! I hope the people that believe EVERYTHING they read in the papers are happy! #TeamDamy were robbed��#Strictly@DannyJohnJules#SCD

— Keven law (@Kevenlaw) November 11, 2018

Swanny deserved to survive

Former cricketer Graeme Swann survived his second dance-off and will be chuffed to scramble through to Blackpool. His salsa scored four more points than Danny's samba on Saturday night but it was by no means a dead cert. Swanny will have feared the worst when Craig Revel Horwood voted against him. 

Still, we're glad he got through. The have-a-go spin bowler's routines have been among this year's most entertaining: see his SpiderMan Charleston and moonwalking Michael Jackson cha cha, not to mention that day-glo aerobic salsa.

We're sure his pro partner Oti Mabuse will pull out something equally special for Blackpool, even if it does end up being the couple's last dance. 

The dance-off couples await the judges' verdict
The dance-off couples await the judges' verdict

Remembrance routine hit the right note

This results show opened with a special Remembrance Day performance from the Strictly professional troupe, alongside the RAF Spitfires Choir and the women of the RAF.

Set to the anthemic "Rise Up" by Andra Day, it marked the centenary of the RAF by celebrating the roles of servicewomen in the Second World War. Welsh pro Amy Dowden’s grandfather fought and she proudly took the leading role, alongside a cute young girl in period costume playing with paper planes. 

The dance routine itself was contemporary in style, full of emotional storytelling, featuring lots of lifts to recreate the feel of flying in the clouds. Planes flew in formation on the backdrop. Poppy-shaped fairylights twinkled. It was poignant, perfectly judged and the sort of thing that Strictly was built to do. 

Later in the show came a VT of the Strictly class of 2018 putting on a special tea dance for the Chelsea pensioners earlier this week. Cockle-warming and admirable, if a little truncated to squeeze into the running time. 

The Remembrance Day routine
The Remembrance Day routine

Kate Silverton had a lucky escape

Newsreader Kate Silverton will be breathing the biggest sigh of relief tonight. Having finished in between Danny and Swanny on Saturday's leaderboard, she was lifted clear of the bottom two by viewer votes. 

After showing some early promise, Kate's dancing has stagnated. She only scraped 30 points for the first time last night and has become a fixture in the scoreboard's bottom two. She deserves to go in the next fortnight. 

Crooners kept it in the family

Tonight's musical guest was superstar Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, crooning duet "Fall On Me" with his handsome 21-year-old son Matteo.

It was a classy interlude but did have the distinct whiff of nepotism - like a sort of operatic version of Eric and Donald Trump Jnr. 

Only three men left standing

Danny's departure means we only have three male celebrities in our final eight: Graeme Swann Joe Sugg and Charles Venn. It's perfectly possible that Charles and Swanny could be the next two out, which could leave vlogger Joe as the last man standing among five females. 

Strictly hasn't had a female winner since Caroline Flack in 2014 but it looks increasingly likely that a woman will lift the glitterball trophy in five weeks' time. After a run of three consecutive male champions (Jay McGuinness, Ore Oduba and Joe McFadden), that would be welcome news.

Blackpool bonanza next week

Just in case you'd missed the several million mentions, the remaining eight couples now head up the M6 and A583 to Blackpool Tower Ballroom. 

The ninth live show airs next Saturday at 6.45pm on BBC One. See you back here to discuss who illuminated the floor and who was a dancing donkey. In the meantime, you know what's required: keeeeeeep dancing!

9:44PM

Results show rewind

Here's Sunday night's show as it happened...

8:31PM

Danny and Amy's last dance  

As the eliminated couple take a final turn around the floor to John Denver's Leaving On A Jet Plane and the other couples crowd in for ye olde traditional group hug, please stay with us for analysis and social media reaction...

8:30PM

Amy returns the compliment  

Danny's pro partner Ms Dowden says: "Danny told me day one that he has been a frustrated song-and-dance man. And I just think it’s lovely that the nation has been able to see your talent and to see you back out there performing again, so thank you for delivering such amazing performances week in, week out. Your children are going to be so proud of you.”

8:29PM

Danny says his goodbyes  

In his exit interview, Danny tells Tess:  It’s been a great experience and I’m just so unhappy I didn’t get Amy to where she needed to be. Everything I've done on this show is because of Amy. It was her training, her choreography that got me here. I can only look as good as her dancing and she is great. I hope her career goes up and onwards as she deserves. My children love her. They are probably going to be watching this now, really sad. And I love you too.”

8:28PM

Danny John-Jules is eliminated  

So the Red Dwarf actor becomes the seventh celebrity to leave Strictly 2018, after Dr Ranj SinghSeann WalshVick HopeKatie PiperLee Ryan and Susannah Constantine

8:28PM

Head judge Shirley Ballas has the casting vote  

The Queen of Latin votes to save Graeme and Oti, saying:  “Both couples were really wonderful. I think they both put the best step forward but with a more flawless performance, more energy-packed, with more excitement, I’m going with Graeme and Oti.” 

8:27PM

Bruno Tonioli choose to save…  

Graeme and Oti, saying: “ Well this is a nightmare because really what we have to do is choose someone based purely on what happened now, not who was good yesterday, next week, whatever. Purely based on this dance, someone was slightly better and then it went wrong, and another one gave a fully-formed performance. What do I have to do? I have to choose the person who delivered better tonight .” Yeah alright, Bruno, don't build up your part.

8:27PM

Darcey Bussell chooses to to save…  

Graeme and Oti, saying: “I wish you didn’t put me in this position, I am not enjoying this at all but they did a more finished performance without any mistakes.”

8:26PM

Craig Revel Horwood chooses to save…  

Danny and Amy, saying:  “Just for sheer level of difficulty and who I think is the best dancer.”

8:26PM

Decision time

Will it be the Swann or The Cat?

8:25PM

Has Swanny got this in the bag?

Lifts! Treadmill-ography! He scored four points more than Danny on Saturday night and doesn't seem to have made any major mis-steps.  

8:24PM

Swanny takes his turn  

Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse have another go at their fitness class-themed salsa to " Follow The Leader" by Soca Boys . The judges said it was flat-footed but packed with complex content and huge fun. Bruno Tonioli "felt the burn", albeit mainly on his retinas due to those day-glo outfits.

Danny and Oti's salsa
Danny and Oti's salsa

8:23PM

A few mistakes from Danny

Some minor mid-routine hiccups there. Could they prove fatal?

8:23PM

Danny goes first in dance-off  

Danny John-Jules and Amy Dowden reprise their samba to " Feels Like Home" by Sigala (featuring, deep breath, Fuse ODG, Sean Paul and Kent Jones) . The judges said last night that it was too stuff, spiky  and staccato, needing more soft bounce and undulating fluidity. The smiles feel a little forced, I must say.

Danny and Amy's samba
Danny and Amy's samba

8:22PM

The B-word

Not Brexit. Not even something rude. It's a VT about Blackpool. 

8:19PM

Danny John-Jules in the dance-off  

Well, that had an air of inevitability. Danny John-Jules and his pro partner Amy Dowden are consigned to the dreaded dance-off, where they'll face Graeme Swann. Are bullying allegations and two sub-par dances in a row going to see The Cat exit through a flap in the Elstree Studios door?

8:18PM

Who'll face Swanny in the dance-off?

Time to find out. Safely through are Kate Silverton (big relief for her), Joe Sugg and Fayee Tozer (thank you, thank you). Which means it's either Stacey Dooley or Danny John-Jules. Eek.

8:16PM

Teadance with the Chelsea pensioners

A VT now of the Strictly class of 2018 visiting Royal Hospital Chelsea earlier this week. Alijaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara perform a routine before everyone takes to the floor. 

8:11PM

Dance debrief  

Up to the Clauditorium now for the weekly feature formerly known as Len’s Lens. Pickle me walnuts, spank me with a wet chamois and call me Susan, we miss you, me old china.

8:11PM

Blimey, it's Tony Beak

Choreographic accompaniment comes from Anton Du Beke and new pro  Luba Mushtuk. Spinning and stunning.

8:08PM

Father and son sing in style  

Musical interlude now, with superstar Italian tenor  Andrea Bocelli and his dashing 21-year-old son Matteo crooning "Fall On Me". It's from new Disney film "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" and appears on Bocelli Snr's new album “Si”, a collection of duets.

8:04PM

Graeme Swann in dance-off   

Sympathetic groans in the studio. Cricketer-turned-pundit Graeme Swann and his partner Oti Mubuse are in the bottom two and will face the dreaded eliminator for the second time. He finished third from bottom on the judges' scoreboard, so perhaps not a shocker.

8:03PM

Time for the dancing light of doom

Who's consigned to the dreaded dance-off? Not Lauren Steadman. Not Ashley Roberts. And Charles Venn looks relieved to be rescued from a fourth dance-off. 

7:59PM

Saturday's show rewound  

Last night’s live show gets recapped. Ashley Roberts' lift-crammed contemporary dance! Graeme Swann in fluorescent spandex! Joe Sugg's Dr Ranj tribute shoulder shimmy! Bruno Tonioli waving his arms around and nearly taking Shirley Ballas' eye out! Giovanni Pernice saying thank you, thank you!

7:56PM

Frockwatch  

Here come our co-hosts, so time for our traditional fashion face-off. Claudia Winkleman’s in an LBD with white pussy bow. Very downstairs-at-Downton. Tess Daly’s in all-white with a strange sleeve arrangement, like a try-hard bride. Claudia wins, but only by a cuff.

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly

7:54PM

Lest we forget  

We open with a special  Remembrance Day performance  from the Strictly professionals,  alongside the RAF Spitfires Choir and the women of the RAF, set to the anthemic "Rise Up". It's marking the centenary of the RAF by celebrating the roles of servicewomen in the Second World War.

Welsh pro Amy Dowden’s grandfather fought and after a cute opening with a little girl and a paper plane, Amy takes the leading role. It's a beautiful routine, contemporary in style. Emotional storytelling, lots of lifts for that feel of flying in the clouds. This is lovely, poignant stuff. 

Remembrance Day group dance
Remembrance Day group dance

7:52PM

And we're off!

Roll clapalong credits. The battle for Blackpool is on.

7:50PM

Blackpool beckons for all but one

Last scene of Doctor Who on BBC One right now. Mere minutes until we go over to the Elstree Studios ballroom...

7:45PM

Who won't be beside the seaside?

One of our nine pro-celebrity couples will miss out on Blackpool. Danny John-Jules looks most likely, having finished bottom of last night's scoreboard, while Kate Silverton and Graeme Swann were just above him. Could Charles Venn even be doomed for his fourth dance-off? Five minutes until we find out...

7:39PM

Strictly salutes Remembrance Day

Tonight's show will include a special commemorative group dance from the Strictly pros, plus special musical guests. No spoilers. Just 10 minutes until showtime...

7:35PM

Who'll be heading to Blackpool and who'll miss the bus? 

Tonight sees the seventh elimination of Strictly 2018, as our nine surviving pro-celebrity pairs find out who will be taking to the fabled Tower Ballroom floor next week and who's doomed to face the dreaded dance-off. 

On Saturday night, Ashley Roberts topped the leaderboard with 39 points for the third week running, with Faye Tozer in second spot. Tucked in behind the pair of popstrels were two more surprising success stories: Charles Venn and Lauren Steadman

At the foot of the scoreboard was Danny John-Jules, subject of bullying allegations earlier this week, with Kate Silverton second from bottom

The judges' scores will be combined with the public vote tonight and the bottom two couples will dance for survival - but will viewers agree with the judges? If not, the likes of Graeme Swann, even Joe Sugg or Stacey Dooley could come into choreographic contention. 

The results show airs at 7.50pm on BBC One. We'll be liveblogging from 7.30pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis and wry backchat, so do join me and watch along with this blog.

And please join in too - you can email me on michael.hogan@ telegraph.co.uktweet me on @michaelhogan or leave comments at the bottom of this blog. I'll keep an eye on them all and report the highlights here. 

Nearly time to staaaaart booking Blackpool B&Bs!