Fern Britton waltzes off Strictly 'party'

Fern Britton voted off Strictly (Rex Features)

Television presenter Fern Britton became the latest contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

The 55-year-old, who hosted ITV's This Morning for 10 years, described the dancing show as "the best programme in the world" and accepted that her "ticket on the train has run out" after last night's show.

After Saturday night's judges' scores were combined with viewer votes, Britton and her partner Artem Chigvintsev faced Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh and her partner Pasha Kovalev for a place in next week's Children In Need extravaganza at Wembley Arena.

Three of the four judges chose to save Walsh, whose position in the dance-off will have shocked many viewers, which meant Britton had performed her final dance on the BBC1 show.

Judge Bruno Tonioli said: "Well with all due respect, I thought one couple was outstanding and that couple is Kimberley and Pasha."

Judge Craig Revel Horwood described the choice between the two couples as a "no brainer".

Britton, who is also a novelist, said: "This is the best party on the television, it's the best programme in the world, and I'm thrilled to have been part of it.

"My ticket on the train has run out. Everyone else - good luck, good luck, good luck! It's the best party. "You've got dancing in the drawing room, you've got snogging upstairs, you've got throwing up in the garden. "It's been fantastic. You really do live that - the throwing up mostly!"

Speaking to her dancing partner, she said: "Artem, I've loved it. I wouldn't have swapped you for anything. "There have been highs and lows, we've got to know each other pretty well, and I do adore you... and Kimberley and Pasha are fantastic."

Last night's results show featured a performance from Dutch classical music sensation Andre Rieu.

PA