Strictly Come Dancing 2018, week 8 results: Danny John-Jules eliminated in wake of bullying allegations
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.
Another strange choice from the @bbcstrictly judges? #strictly - I don’t read the gossip but apparently there was something behind the scenes?
— Matthew Bourne (@SirMattBourne) November 11, 2018
A few weeks ago Seann made loads of mistakes and was saved. Tonight Danny made one and was sent home. Judges are nothing but consistent ��#Strictly
— Lauren Richman (@starlet_laur) November 11, 2018
Trial by media? No surprise there then that Danny went #strictly
— Han B (@SparklyHannahB) November 11, 2018
Gutted that Danny is out. I feel that there are a couple still in there who aren’t quite as good but that’s the problem. You do one average dance and it can cost you! #strictly
— Sian (@sianreed93) November 11, 2018
I just don’t think Danny could ever shift fully from what he already knew as a dancer. He was good and certain dances really suited him. But his scores were generally the same and I don’t think he really learned much from the judges comments. #Strictly2018#Strictly
— Telly Lad (@TellyLad) November 11, 2018
This idea that they didn’t get on seems unfounded. He was a bit awkward in the interview because he’s an actor who usually reads lines #Strictly
— Pieford (@Pieford) November 11, 2018
Feel like Danny might be a diva but the press he’s had hasn’t been warranted, feel for both of them tbh #Strictly
— Jake (@JakeThomasLong) November 11, 2018
#strictly the seemingly false bullying story put paid to a better dance can't help but feel there were 'other reasons' for him out..
— Julian Hilaire (@julianhilaire) November 11, 2018
Sean survived the week after his scandal despite there being actual photos and videos of the unprofessionalism...
Danny gets sent home the week that false rumours emerge despite being one of the best dancers on the show...
Ok...#strictly2018#justsaying— rosie (@roserpose) November 11, 2018
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.
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
Big love to @DannyJohnJules and @dowden_amy It’s been lovely watching you guys dance together. You’ll be missed ❤️❤️ #Strictly
— Chizzy (@chizzyakudolu) November 11, 2018
Hope Amy gets another good 'un next year. She did some really nice work, even if they weren't among this year's great partnerships #strictly#scd
— Marianka Swain (@mkmswain) November 11, 2018
Guys we need to get Amy to the final next year she’s an absolute delight #Strictly
— Sid (@StrictlySid) 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.
Phew Graham and Oti!!!! That was close �� #Strictly #
— To hell with love (@LydgSquidge) November 11, 2018
I fear for Swanny. And I love him because he’s on a proper Journey unlike all the fecking ringers this season. #SCD
— Sybil Disobedience (@PaolaOeste) November 11, 2018
Graeme Swann on #Strictly is making me want to exerci-.....well that was short lived. Who am I kidding? I don't exercise ��
— Samantha Buxton (@SBuxton16) November 11, 2018
Every year I wait to see who is the 'spirit of strictly' and tonight I've found him... Mr Graeme Swann!!! What a bloody great dance you beautifully joyous man!! ❤ not to take away from @OtiMabuse smashing the choreography out of the park again!! �� #Strictly@Swannyg66
— Luke Saville (@lukesaville92) November 10, 2018
So glad @OtiMabuse is going to Blackpool. She’s the best thing about #strictly
— Claudia Connell (@Claudiacc) November 11, 2018
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.
#scd always does an amazing Armistice Day memorial dance ����❤️ #raf#armisticeday#raf#armistice#poppyday
— Lissy (@LissyM) November 11, 2018
Oh my goodness me how beautiful was that opening number on @bbcstrictly ❤️ #lestweforget100#RemembranceDay18#StrictlyComeDancing#scd#Strictlypic.twitter.com/0liqPIC4ml
— Caroline White (@carolineplayle) November 11, 2018
Beautiful tribute to the RAF, very proud to say my Uncle was in the RAF flew a V bomber at the time of the Cuban missle crisis and put his life on the line like many others. All our past and present servicemen and women are heroes #strictly2018
— LozV99 (@lozV99) November 11, 2018
Stunning group dance for Remembrance Sunday @bbcstrictly#100years#lestweforget#strictly
— Jenny Hayward (@princessdoog) November 11, 2018
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.
Kate in the bottom 2 the past two weeks but hasn’t gone! �� ��#bbcemployee#Strictly
— Becky Latham (@latham83) November 11, 2018
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.
Nepotism's great, isn't it? Junior Bocelli's just about competent, that's it. #Strictly#scd
— Debbie M (@heavenstobetsie) November 11, 2018
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!
Phone back on because it’s Strictly time. Well done @keviclifton and @StaceyDooley and all the couples through to Blackpool. You’ll have the best time.
— Susan Calman (@SusanCalman) November 11, 2018
I fear Blackpool may have been oversold to Ashley #Strictly
— Jamie (@jtlovell1979) November 11, 2018
This is what is likely to happen you if you have a drink everytime 'Blackpool' gets mentioned. ����❤�� #Strictly#Blackpool#BlackpoolDrinkingGamepic.twitter.com/RLBgrHjylo
— Paul Dunphy Esquire (@pauldunphy) November 10, 2018
Results show rewind
Here's Sunday night's show as it happened...
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...
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.”
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.”
Danny John-Jules is eliminated
So the Red Dwarf actor becomes the seventh celebrity to leave Strictly 2018, after Dr Ranj Singh, Seann Walsh, Vick Hope, Katie Piper, Lee Ryan and Susannah Constantine.
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.”
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.
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.”
Craig Revel Horwood chooses to save…
Danny and Amy, saying: “Just for sheer level of difficulty and who I think is the best dancer.”
Decision time
Will it be the Swann or The Cat?
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.
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.
A few mistakes from Danny
Some minor mid-routine hiccups there. Could they prove fatal?
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.
The B-word
Not Brexit. Not even something rude. It's a VT about Blackpool.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Blimey, it's Tony Beak
Choreographic accompaniment comes from Anton Du Beke and new pro Luba Mushtuk. Spinning and stunning.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
And we're off!
Roll clapalong credits. The battle for Blackpool is on.
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...
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...
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...
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.uk, tweet 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!