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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Isobel Frodsham

Strictly Come Dancing: Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard become ninth couple to leave the show

Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard have become the latest couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

The YouTube vlogger, 19, and pro dancer, 25, performed a Samba to Walking on Sunshine by Take Me To Rio Collective.

But their Latin moves failed to impress the judges and scooped 26 points, leaving them in last place on the leaderboard.

After the public vote, the duo were placed in the bottom two alongside children’s television presenter Karim Zeroual and his partner Amy Dowden.

End of the road: Tess Daly consoles Saffron Barker after she and AJ Pritchard were eliminated (BBC/Guy Levy)

It was a surprising twist as Karim and Amy won praise from the judges for their routine and were handed 38 points, putting them in joint first on the leaderboard with Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse.

Karim and Amy's performance was a contemporary couples choice to Drops Of Jupiter by With Confidence.

It was an emotional dedication to Karim’s mother and sister.

Dancing queen: Saffron opening the dance on Saturday (BBC/Guy Levy)

Following the dance off, each judge unanimously voted for Karim and Amy’s dance.

This year marks the third time AJ has been eliminated from the competition following a Samba performance.

Samba: AJ and Saffron performing on Saturday night (BBC/Guy Levy)

Speaking to co-host for the show, Tess Daly, after her loss, Saffron said: “I’ve had the absolute time of my life and it’s all down to him [AJ]. It’s been amazing.

“I’d like to thank AJ so much, when I look at what I was like on week one I was so embarrassed and shy. He’s really taken me out of my shell. Thank you so much for everything.”

When asked about Saffron, AJ said: “Every single week you’ve approached it with a positive mental attitude and you’ve inspired so many… on your own social media too.

“As a non-dancer starting from day one I’m not going to lie I was a bit scared… but performing those fantastic dances has been amazing. I’ll never, ever, ever forget that dance. The best partner. Thank you. ”

Sunday’s results show opened with a special performance from world famous opera star Andrea Bocelli.

The final five couples now consist of actor Kelvin and Oti, actress Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke, former Lioness and pundit Alex Scott and Neil Jones, comedian Chris Ramsey and Karen Clifton and Karim and Amy.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday, November 30 at 7.10pm.

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