Carol Kirkwood left 'gutted' as tearful BBC star bids emotional farewell in 'shock exit'

express.co.uk:

Carol Kirkwood, 60, has been left “gutted” after Richie Anderson, 34, was announced as the second contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing last night.The BBC Breakfast star told Zoe Ball, 51, that she was upset by the news, as the presenter branded the elimination a “shock exit” on her BBC Radio 2 show.BBC weather star Carol contacted the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show this morning to send her well wishes to Richie, who was heard breaking down in tears on-air.

After playing a highlight reel of his time on Strictly, Zoe read out the sweet message from Carol.She told Radio 2 listeners: “9 to 5 by Dolly Parton playing, especially for the gorgeous Carol Kirkwood, who is listening to the show this morning. “She says she’s gutted about you going out, Richie - she thought you were fab and she knows a thing or two does Carol!” Earlier in the show, Zoe branded Richie’s elimination from the show a “shock exit” after the broadcaster and his partner Giovanni Pernice failed to beat Fleur East and her partner Vito Coppola in the dance off. “Totally undeserved, we all said,” Zoe told Richie as he entered the studio. “It’s like when Aston Merrygold went out - there’s always a shock exit on Strictly!” Speaking about how he felt following last night’s dance off, Richie admitted: “Well obviously, I’m a bit gutted, but I’m so proud that I got to go on Strictly Come Dancing, that I got to live a dream that I’ve always wanted to do.” Richie was choked up as he listened back to his highlight reel, with Zoe saying: “You have been sat here in tears just listening to that. “What an amazing adventure you’ve had - cut too short, quite frankly! (In our opinion).” After hearing lots of supportive messages from BBC Radio 2 fans, Richie opened up more about.