Mystery as Strictly’s Giovanni and Richie sit SEPARATELY on It Takes Two – but all other couples share a sofa

Richie Anderson has become the latest celebrity to be given the boot from Strictly Come Dancing.The 34-year-old star was paired up with 2021 winner Giovanni Pernice but they were sent home from the competition over the weekend.They lost out in the dreaded dance-off to X Factor's Fleur East and her professional partner Vito Coppola.READ MORE: Richie Anderson confirmed as second star to leave Strictly Come DancingThe bubbly presenter previously explained to the Mirror that he also opted for a same sex coupling on Strictly to celebrate his 10th anniversary with his partner and the 50th Pride.According to Richie, BBC bosses actually gave him the option to dance with either a woman or a man, which led to a discussion with his partner of ten years, Dean Eagles.He set an example by bravely coming out as gay to his football teammates on national television five years ago.He was formerly a Sunday League footballer who played for Coombs Wood F.C.After a match in 2018, Richie made the bold decision to come out to his teammates as part of a documentary for BBC's The One Show, which highlighted homophobia in the sport.Speaking to his teammates on camera, the radio presenter said: "One of the big issues we've looked at this week, erm, it's really close to my heart, is homophobia in football."The reason why that means a lot to me is – I'm a gay footballer. So I just wanted to be open and honest with you lot.

Strictly Come Dancing pro James Jordan took aim at the judges, explaining how their scores can affect the result and who goes home.

Giovanni Pernice has shown his support to dance partner Richie Anderson as he appeared to stay silent on his early exit from Strictly Come Dancing. There were gasps on Sunday after the result from week three were revealed during the BBC One results show.

Kaye Adams, who was the first celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing two weeks ago, interviewed show judge Anton Du Beke today. Kaye didn't shy away from tough questions in the chat, as she questioned whether head judge Shirley Ballas’ contrasting opinions from her fellow judges in the dance-off are actually just in there for entertainment value. Speaking to Anton, 56, on BBC Radio Scotland, Kaye, 59, asked: “Shirley and the other three judges seemed to go in different directions - is that all pantomime?”“No, no, because we can’t confer!” Anton replied, setting the record straight.

Strictly Come Dancing, Shirley Ballas, 62, has the final say on which couple goes home in the event of a tie between her co-judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse.So far this series, she hasn't had to decide who goes home in the dance-off, but admitted she has disagreed with the other panellists over their decisions.Last weekend, Shirley said she would've sent Fleur East home over Richie Anderson, after her fellow judges opted to save the singer.Despite the most favourable contestant going through, this didn't stop Shirley from receiving abuse.Following the show on Saturday night, she shared a message from an Instagram user who branded her a "f*****g t**t".In view of her 79,000 followers, she wrote: "Here we are again how sad."Michael J Fox in Back to the Future reunion amid Parkinson's battleAnother told Shirley she was "very disappointing" on Strictly and claimed she made his daughter cry."Thanks a lot you p***k," the message concluded.Shirley told her fans that such messages were just "the mild ones" in her inbox.It's not the first time the professional dancer has received abuse during her time on the panel.She previously admitted she was hurt by backlash last year after she chose to save Jamie Laing over Ranvir Singh.She wrote on social media: "This is just one of the hundreds of messages sent to me after last night’s incredibly tough decision."The barrage of hatred that I have received is truly devastating and has hurt me to the core."But I would have hoped that after the year we have all faced, and those we have lost - not just to covid - we would have learned to be kind to others."Thank you to all those who have sent me messages of support, you have gone one way in restoring my faith in

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left gobsmacked when movie week turned into a horror when Richie Anderson and his dance partner Giovanni Pernice and Fleur East and Vito Coppola landed in the bottom two and therefore had to dance again for their survival in the BBC One dance contest on Sunday night.

Fleur East has admitted that she is “so so sad” after the elimination of pal Richie Anderson following their tense dance-off.The former X Factor contestant and professional dancer Vito Coppola found themselves in the bottom two on Saturday despite falling into the middle of the leaderboard during movie week on Strictly Come Dancing. Fleur, 34, and Vito, 30, danced the American Smooth to Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid, earning themselves a score of 29 from judges Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.TV and Radio presenter Richie Anderson, 34, danced the Samba with partner Giovanni Pernice to Lion King’s Hakuna Matata. Ultimately, Richie got the axe.

Richie Anderson has been revealed as the second celebrity to depart the Strictly dance floor. After the second public vote, the 34-year-old TV and radio personality found himself up against Fleur East in the dance-off.

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.

Strictly Come Dancing 's Giovanni Pernice made a 'race to the exit' after his and Richie Anderson 's time on the dancefloor came to an end on Sunday night, according to a body language expert.

Strictly Come Dancing viewers have "worked out" why Giovanni Pernice and Richie Anderson were voted off during Sunday (October 9) night's show. The dancing duo said goodbye to the ballroom after their Movie Week performance which saw them dance a playful Samba set to the Lion King classic Hakuna Matata.Taking on the characters from the beloved 1994 Disney movie, the loveable duo hit the dancefloor on Saturday (October 8) dressed in huge Timon and Pumbaa costumes but unfortunately failed to impress the judges with the performance.READ MORE: BBC Strictly's Claudia Winkleman under fire over unusual outfit choiceThey found themselves in the dance off against X Factor star Fleur East and her partner Vito Coppola, with three of the judges opting to save the singer, thus sending Richie and last year's winner home.But it seems viewers at home weren't sure if the dancing was to blame and took to social media to share their thoughts on how the outfits played a part.One user fumed: "#Strictly should have put all couples in a #onesie and called it #OnesieWeek and then it would have been a level playing field.

ARSENAL legend Tony Adams’s Full Monty strip routine boosted Strictly’s viewing figures to more than 8.3 million last night. An average of 7.6 million tuned in but the figures peaked when he and Katya Jones performed a samba to You Sexy Thing.

Shirley Ballas, 62, faces accusations of “bias” after the Strictly Come Dancing head judge gave Ellie Taylor a five out of 10 points for her performance on Saturday night.The comedian and her partner Johannes Radebe paid homage to Cher in the film Mermaids for Movie Week.However, Shirley was left unimpressed as she stated she was not accepting “heel leads” going forward in the BBC hit show.Shirley said: "We are going into week three.“You did a natural top, and the first step of every step was a heel lead.“So as of today, I’m not accepting - and that goes for everybody else - I am not accepting any heel leads.”But Shirley’s criticism of Ellie sparked debate on social media, as Strictly viewers voiced their opinion on her remarks.Some online users claimed Shirley was biased towards male contestants, while others defended the judge in her scoring.Wandoful said: “Shirley literally needs to take a chill pill.“It’s week 3, not week 10.Think it’s cruel the way she speaks to the female contestants but not the male ones…Wonder why that is… #Strictly”Scddevereaux added: “I hope Ellie Taylor knows how much we love her and how upset we are at how Shirley speaks to her #Strictly”Scddaylight tweeted: “Shirley being extremely critical of Ellie T but giving Richie an 8 is frustrating and shows her bias towards male contestants and I’m sick of it  #Strictly”Mitchener1Ryan responded: “Nah I’m not buying this take, I thought Ellie danced okay… and her critique was constructive.”Itsamberc_ argued: “In fairness though Ellie isn't great.“The first thing you learn in cha cha is no heel leads and she did so many.“She's not being harsh, she's being honest so she can improve which is what a judge does I don't understand the hate tbh.”But in spite

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left swooning over Nikita Kuzmin and Carlos Gu’s sensual dance routine as Adam Lambert performed his brand-new chart topping single.During Sunday’s BBC One results show, all 14 celebrities waited to learn their fate as to whether they would survive another week on the dance competition.In between the tense dance-off announcements, the Queen frontman took to the stage to perform his latest hit song Mad About The Boy on the show.READ MORE: Claudia Winkleman teases Strictly format change after controversial dance offWhile viewers listened to the impressive vocals of the Broadway singer, the pro dancers danced around him – and it’s fair to say fans loved their same-sex collaboration.Taking to Twitter, viewers couldn’t help but gush over the pair, as many called for the pair to become a permanent dancing duo on the show.One user penned: “I didn’t know I needed it...but Nikita and Carlos just served #Strictly.”Another agreed: “I think Adam, Carlos and Nikita have collectively broken the internet #Strictly.”A third chimed in with: “Adam Lambert’s performance and Nikita’s & Carlos’s dance [two fire emoji] absolutely stunning all round #Strictly.”Meanwhile, one user pointed out: “I loved Carlos but Nikita was another level in the dance.

Strictly Come Dancing fans flocked to Twitter in outrage following Sunday night's shock dance-off. Viewers were stunned as Richie Anderson and his dance partner Giovanni Pernice and Fleur East and Vito Coppola were asked to reprise their third week dances again after the red light of doom landed on them.

In the wake of Richie Anderson and dance partner Giovanni Pernice being voted off this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, fans of the show have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts. The pair performed an unexpected routine on Saturday night for Movie Week, and hit the dance floor dressed in Lion King onesies. Richie dressed as Timon, as last year’s winner Giovanni donned a Pumbaa suit.

Strictly Come Dancing fans reacted in shock as the spotlight fell on two more couples to go head-to-head in the dreaded dance-off on Sunday night (October 8). There was disbelief as singer and Manchester's Hits Radio presenter Fleur East ended up in the dance-off with her professional dance partner Vito Coppolo after the result was calculated through a mix of audience vote and panel scores.

Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor has been impressing viewers with her fancy footwork since the latest season of the show kicked off.After performing a Quickstep in week one and the Paso Doble in week two, Ellie, 38, is heading into the third week of live shows with viewers growing more curious about the Ted Lasso star's life outside of the show.Performing alongside Strictly Professional partner Johannes Radebe Ellie hasn't failed to catch the attention of the judges but the Essex born star is no stranger to on-screen success.READ NEXT: Strictly Ellie Simmonds' life - achondroplasia diagnosis, career and troll battle Here we take a look at her life before Strictly Come Dancing added a new level of fame. Ellie is happily married to well-known CNN International news reporter Phil Black, who is famed for his high profile reporting.

The second contestant to exit Strictly Come Dancing is Richie Anderson and his partner Giovanni Pernice after a shock dance-off with Fleur East. The radio DJ was booted from the show tonight after being in the bottom two with singer Fleur.