Strictly Come Dancing 2019, week 8 results live: Mike Bushell knocked out after dance-off defeat to Michelle Visage

• Under the Strictly Glitterball with Michelle Visage: 'Onwards and upwards, Mike – ignore the haters'

• The night the masks slipped on Strictly: Shirley snaps, Anton cracks and Saffron rejects Tess

• Who will win Strictly Come Dancing 2019? Predict the winner

A shock couple in the dance-off but with the correct outcome.

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

Mike Bushell suffered Blackpool heartbreak

At last, his charmed Strictly life ran out. It was fourth time unlucky in the dance-off for Mike Bushell and he deserved to bow out. He’d been fortunate to see off the likes of Catherine Tyldesley and Viscountess Emma Weymouth. Up against Michelle Visage, though, he was way out of his league.

The dad-dancing BBC Breakfast sports reporter did exceptionally well to survive this far with an average score of 23.5pts - the lowest remaining in the contest. Yet hard work in the training studio and clever choreography from pro partner Katya Jones meant Mike punched well above his weight.

He had the happy knack of raising his game for the dance-off but it was nowhere near enough this time. He was neither good enough to be a proper contender, nor amusingly bad enough to be a comedy contestant. Yet in the face of unfair hostility on social media, he remained a warm and positive presence right to the end, which was admirable.

His highlights were his mod-style “Come on Eileen” quickstep in week four and last week’s aviation-themed Charleston, which both scored in the 30s. In between, though, were some proper honkers. His cowboy American smooth, stripping fireman cha cha cha and pelvic-thrusting samba were particular cringe-inducing.

Still, he certainly made the most of his limited ability, entertained viewers and won friends. In true Strictly spirit, he also vowed to keeeeeep dancing. Fittingly, his final dance was leading the class of 2019 in an impromptu conga around the Elstree Studios dancefloor. Magic Mike departs at the right time with viewers’ best wishes.

Michelle Visage got a serious dance-off scare

While Mike Bushell’s fourth consecutive appearance in the dance-off was fairly predictable, Michelle Visage’s certainly wasn’t. The Drag Race diva had finished second on the Saturday night scoreboard, then plummeted five places into the bottom two.

She clearly didn’t get much support from voting viewers. Did the public assume she was safe? Did they not enjoy her American smooth as much as the judges, who gave it a clean sweep of nines? Did the fact that she’s American count against her?

Michelle scored 11 points more than Mike last night, so would have expected to beat him in the dance-off. But it still must have been a relief when the judges unanimously chose to save her - especially since her partner Giovanni Pernice had nicknamed Mike “The Terminator” because everyone who goes up against him gets taken out.

Consistently excellent Michelle is the highest scoring female in the series so far and the second top scorer overall, so this was a shocker to rival Dev Griffin’s elimination four weeks ago. She's promised "something huge" for Blackpool and deserves to deliver it.

Tear-jerking group dance was a Remembrance Sunday highlight

On Remembrance Sunday, this show paid tribute in not one but four poignant ways.

First, the Strictly professionals performed a heartfelt routine set at a train station, telling the touching story of families and friends waving off their loved ones as they go to war. There were brothers, lovers, parents and children, clad in military uniform and period clothing, carrying battered suitcases as they danced a moving mash-up of styles beneath an old-fashioned station clock. Evocative and really rather lovely.

We then saw how armed forces personnel and widows from recent conflicts had been given front-row seats in the studio audience for this show.

The musical guest was West End-turned-Hollywood star Luke Evans, crooning “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables, with barefoot choreographic accompaniment from Johannes Radebe and Amy Dowden. Popular Welsh pro Amy was particularly proud to get a starring role, since both her grandfathers served in the Second World War.

Finally, a VT report revealed how head judge Shirley Ballas and the Strictly couples showed their support earlier this week by hitting the streets to raise awareness and funds for the Poppy Appeal. All classy touches and nicely judged on this important occasion.

Katya Jones did well to steer Mike this far

St Petersburg-born pro Katya Jones bowed out alongside her celebrity partner Mike Bushell but hauling him past the contest’s halfway mark represented quite some achievement.

It was widely interpreted as punishment for last year’s snog-gate scandal with Seann Walsh when she was saddled with the dad-dancing 53-year-old but she nearly “did an Ed Balls” with him - training him like a demon, vocally guiding him through routines and creatively choreographing to cover his deficiencies.

Katya survived two weeks longer than she did with Walsh but two weeks fewer than she did with Ed “Glitter” Balls. In between, of course, she won the glitterball trophy with Joe McFadden.

Her exit means she’s been outlasted in the contest by her ex-husband Neil Jones, who is partnering Alex Scott. Some consolation for Ginger Neil, perhaps, after last night’s Motsi Mabuse “affair” faux-pas.

"Curse of Latin" claimed yet another casualty

The trend continued for ballroom dances guaranteeing survival this series. Of the eliminated contestants, none have left after a ballroom routine. Instead their last dances have been two cha-chas, two jives, a Charleston, a samba and now a paso doble.

The surviving couples will be desperately hoping they get a ballroom dance in Blackpool because Latin could spell seaside trouble.

Chris Ramsey had another narrow escape

We seem to say it every week but there were sizeable, cheek-puffing sighs of relief from comedian Chris Ramsey and his pro partner Karen Hauer.

Their flat-footed tango left the couple second from bottom on the scoreboard last night, just one point above Mike Bushell, but once again they were lifted clear of dance-off danger by viewer votes.

The Geordie joker has been a fixture down the bottom of the standings, apart from after last week's Couple’s Choice streetdance, but is yet to appear in the dreaded dance-off, meaning he must be popular with the public. It's also the first time that Karen has reached Blackpool without appearing in a dance-off.

Perhaps a comedy routine at Blackpool will end up being his last hurrah.

Magnificent seven now head north to Blackpool

Our seven surviving pro-celeb pairs now board the sequin-spangled bus up the M6 to Blackpool’s fabled Tower Ballroom to grace its bigger, bouncier sprung floor. We can look forward to razzle-dazzle routines with even more flamboyant costumes, extra set dressing, tricks, stunts and backing dancers

The ninth live show airs next Saturday at 7.05pm on BBC One and should be a veritable seaside spectacular.

Meet you back here to discuss who illuminated the dancefloor and who was a hoofing donkey. In the meantime, it’s the usual instruction: keeeeeep dancing!

8:26PM

Sunday night as it happened

Here’s your full pre-Blackpool results show recap…

8:01PM

Mike and Katya’s last dance

As the eliminated couple take a final turn around the ballroom floor to Take That's "Rule The World" and the other couples crowd around to commiserate, please stay with us for analysis and social media reaction.

8:00PM

Katya returns the compliment

Russian pro Ms Jones says: “Honestly, I’m so proud of him and I think this was your best dance, so you can leave with your head held up. In my eyes, you’re the winner.

"The only thing he has lost is weight. He came in every single day giving his heart, soul, everything, 200 per cent, no matter what, after every single dance-off. I’m so sorry I couldn’t take to Blackpool. A perfect partnership.”

7:59PM

Mike Bushell says his goodbyes

In his exit interview, Mike tells Tess: “I have had the most amazing 10 weeks since we started training. What an advert for dancing. I have lost a stone-and-a-half. I’m a guy in his 50s, I’m mentally sharper, I feel able to deal with pressured situations – thanks to the dance-offs! It has changed me completely and honestly, I’m not going to stop dancing. My wife Emily has supported me all the way through and my daughters. My dad’s going to take up ballroom dancing and my mum has started zumba.

“I want to thank all my family and the judges. I have all their comments framed around the house. Every moment has been an absolute honour and a joy. I didn’t think I’d get this far and I have already booked a hotel in Blackpool, so I’m still coming along. This amazing teacher, Katya, I can’t tell you the dedication that she puts in. She’d make the greatest sporting coach ever, she makes you believe that anything is possible. She hasn’t taken it easy on me. We’ve had some difficult routines and I can’t believe the miracles you’ve performed. There’s so many memories.”

7:58PM

Head judge Shirley Ballas agrees

No need for Twirly Shirley, Queen Of Latin and first lady of Wallasey, to use her deciding vote. She would also have saved Michelle and Giovanni. Well, of course, what with her having eyes.

7:58PM

Mike Bushell is eliminated

BBC Breakfast’s sports reporter becomes the eighth celebrity to depart the dancefloor, joining Viscountess Emma Weymouth, injury casualty Will Bayley, Catherine Tyldesley, David James, Dev Griffin, Anneka Rice and James Cracknell on the sequin-spangled scrapheap.

7:57PM

Bruno Tonioli chooses to save…

Michelle and Giovanni, saying they “performed to the highest standard”.

7:57PM

Motsi Mabuse chooses to save…

Michelle and Giovanni, saying that “it was the best performance from both couples but one was the clear winner of the dance-off”.

7:57PM

Craig Revel Horwood chooses to save…

Michelle and Giovanni, despite saying that Mike and Katya “put up a very good fight”.

7:54PM

Michelle Visage takes her turn

Michelle Visage and her partner Giovanni Pernice reprise their American smooth foxtrot to “I Just Want To Make Love To You” by Etta James.

The judges said last night “sophisticated with a little sass, naughty but nice”  and she was “mistress of detail, awarding it a clean sweep of nines for a total of 36 points.

That’s 11 more than Mike’s score. Surely this is a done deal?

7:53PM

Mike Bushell goes first in dance-off

First up, Mike Bushell and Katya Jones have another go at their paso doble to “Tamacun” by Rodrigo y Gabriela.

The judges said last night that he “joined dots rather than danced, it was too heavy, rigid and lacked artistry” and “it went horribly wrong, you were stuck to the floor, too placed and no flow”.

They gave it 25 points. Surely he can’t close the 11-point gap on Michelle… can he?

7:48PM

Mike Bushell in dreaded dance-off

No surprise there, since they were bottom of the scoreboard last night. Mike Bushell and his professional partner Katya Jones will dance for survival for the fourth week running - but they've got their work cut out against Michelle and Giovanni.

7:46PM

Who will dance-off against Michelle Visage?

We're about to find out. Tense times.

7:46PM

Strictly stars back the Poppy Appeal

A Remembrance Sunday segment now, showing Shirley Ballas and some of our couples out and about, raising awareness and money. Good work.

7:41PM

Dance debrief time

Up to the Clauditorium now for a closer look at this week’s choreographic details.

It used to be called Len’s Lens. Halcyon days, hoofing featurette-wise.

7:39PM

Luke Evans does Les Mis

Musical interlude now from West End-turned-Hollywood star Luke Evans, singing “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables. Barefoot choreographic accompaniment comes from Johannes Radebe and Amy Dowden.

You might recognise Pontypool-born thesp Evans from Clash Of The Titans, as Bard the Bowman in The Hobbit or as villainous Gaston in Disney’s live action remake of Beauty & The Beast.

He spent most of the Noughties on the West End stage, so has quite a set of pipes on him.

7:33PM

​Michelle Visage in the dance-off

Blimey. Now that’s a shocker. Michelle Visage and her partner Giovanni Pernice will face the dreaded eliminator.

It’s her first dance-off appearance and she was second on the Saturday night scoreboard, so she’s fallen five places into the bottom two. Gasps of disbelief in the ballroom.

7:33PM

Karim Zeroual goes through

Karim and Amy are the first couple confirmed as safe, despite last night's underbaked Viennese whirl. Alex Scott is also through, as is Saffron Barker.

7:31PM

Dancing light of doom

Hold tight, here we go. It’s time for long… tension-building… pauses, followed by hugs of relief and hammy “thank yous” to camera. We're about to find out who’s safely through to Blackpool.

7:27PM

Saturday's show rewound

Last night’s live show gets the highlights montage treatment. Saffron Barker’s scoreboard-topping waltz! Kelvin Fletcher’s booty-shaking samba! Emma Barton’s bowler-hatted Couple’s Choice! Mike Bushell’s deeply strange paso doble!

7:25PM

Frockwatch

Our co-hosts arrive, so time for our traditional couture comparison. Claudia Winkleman’s in a gorgeous black tuxedo with white shirt. Tess Daly’s in a navy sparkly knee-length dress. Claudia wins.

7:24PM

Amy Dowden gets central role

Nice to see a starring part for Wesh pro Amy. Both her grandfathers served in the Second World War so this means a lot to her.

7:22PM

Remembrance routine opens the show

Strictly’s annual Remembrance Sunday tributes are always emotive but this one especially so. It’s a heartfelt routine set at a train station with families and friends waving off their loved ones as they go to war, set to Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time".

Kevin Clifton and Gorka Marquez are playing brothers. Anton Du Beke is playing a father, leaving behind his wife and son. The dance combines elements of ballroom, street, commercial and contemporary. Stirring stuff.

7:20PM

And we’re off!

Roll those now familiar clap-along credits. One of these smiles will be turned upside down into a frown in, ooh, around 35 minutes’ time. But whose?

7:17PM

Only seven seats on the Blackpool bus 

Eight couples await the dance-off verdict but only seven can go to Blackpool. Who will miss out?

We go over to the Elstree Studios ballroom in a couple of minutes…

7:14PM

Evans above, it’s Luke

Musical guest on tonight’s show is West End-turned-Hollywood star Luke Evans, singing “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables. Another emotional number. Have hankies at hand.

A mere five minutes to wait now…

7:09PM

Remembrance routine could be a tearjerker

As has become traditional, Strictly will pay tribute to Remembrance Sunday tonight with a special wartime-themed group dance from the professional troupe. It promises to be a poignant one.

Just 10 minutes until showtime…

7:04PM

Motsi’s foot-in-mouth moment

Social media lit up with mirth last night when judge Motsi Mabuse told Alex Scott and her back-from-injury pro partner Neil Jones: “I feel like we've seen a new couple. We knew them but then somebody had an affair and now the light is back on."

Deeply awkward, bearin in mind that Neil's wife Katya Jones was the subject of a “showmance” scandal with her dance partner Seann Walsh last year.  Poor Neil’s face was a picture.

Fifteen minutes until results o’clock…

7:03PM

Who will suffer Blackpool heartbreak?

At 7.20pm on BBC One, the next elimination of Strictly 2019 beckons as our pro-celebrity pairs find out who’s safely through to next week’s seaside special and who’s doomed to face the dreaded dance-off.

On Saturday night, Saffron Barker waltzed her way to the top of the scoreboard for the second time in four weeks. Could she and pro partner AJ Pritchard, who celebrated his 25th birthday in style, be timing their run towards the glitterball trophy?

At the foot of the scoreboard was Mike Bushell after his dance dis-ah-ster of a paso doble - with Geordie joker Chris Ramsey just above.

As usual, the judges’ scores will now be combined with the public vote and the two couples with the lowest combined scores will dance for survival - but will viewers agree with the judges? If not, the likes of Karim Zeroual or Alex Scott could be in dance-off danger.

We'll be liveblogging from 7pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, recaps, analysis and arch asides. Please join us - and 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 breaking Blackpool hearts…