The second couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing has been revealed, ending their journey towards the Glitter Ball.
Sadly it was Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters, 64, who became the second celebrity eliminated from the BBC competition, alongside pro dancer Aljaz Skorjanec, 36.
After finishing in the bottom two on the first two weeks of the competition, the judges sent the pair home after a tense dance-off against former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips.
On Saturday night’s episode, Melanie and Aljaž performed a Charleston to Ooh Ahh… Just A Little Bit by Gina G, receiving a score of 17 from the judges.
Craig Revel Horwood remarked that he ‘didn’t love’ their dance, while Motsi Mabuse encouraged the actress to ‘keep going’.
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On Sunday night’s results episode, they were sent into the dance-off against Shaun and his partner Alexis Warr – who had received a score of 15 for their quickstep to I’m A Believer by The Monkees.
After both couples performed their routines again, the judges delivered their verdicts on who they wanted to save.
While Motsi opted to save Melanie, fellow judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Revel Horwood all chose to save Shaun.
‘So so sad that Melanie and Aljaz are out!! Melanie wasn’t the best dancer, but she’s so lovely and her partnership with Aljaz made me smile so much. She’ll be so missed next week
Viewers of the show were sad to see Melanie axed from the competition, with @sasha_ddm wrote: ‘So so sad that Melanie and Aljaz are out!! Melanie wasn’t the best dancer, but she’s so lovely and her partnership with Aljaz made me smile so much. She’ll be so missed next week.’
StrictlyOnSofa shared it was ‘so hard to lose couples this year’ and StuartOsmond vocalised his disappointment, believing ‘Melanie danced much better’ when it came down to it.
Others remarked that this is the earliest Aljaž has left the competition, with @RyanSoapKing25 saying: ‘Heartbroken for the couple that have left.’
During the first week of the contest, the Welsh actress received a score of 15 for her cha cha cha, also being given the same score the following week while performing a waltz to Edelweiss from The Sound of Music during Movie Week.
It comes just one week after celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, 43, and Amy Dowden, 36, were sent packing from the competition.
Sunday night’s episode also saw Shirley and Anton take to the floor as part of a special group performance, with two teams of professional dancers going head-to-head for glory in a ballroom vs Latin showdown.
There was also a performance from musician Jalen Ngonda of his song Burning Temptation, accompanied by professional dancers Neil Jones and Lethabo Monametsi.
The remaining 13 couples will take to the dancefloor next week for icons week.
Strictly Come Dancing returns at 6.15pm Saturday on BBC One.