Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Strictly Come Dancing 2014: Gregg Wallace named first celebrity voted off

The MasterChef judge left after losing the dance-off to Jennifer Gibney

Jess Denham
Monday 06 October 2014 11:24 BST
Comments
MasterChef's Gregg Wallace dances with Aliona Vilani on Strictly Come Dancing
MasterChef's Gregg Wallace dances with Aliona Vilani on Strictly Come Dancing

Gregg Wallace has proved that he should not swap the kitchen for the dancefloor after becoming the first celebrity to be booted off the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The MasterChef judge had been dancing with Aliona Vilani but all four judges failed to save him in the dance-off with Mrs Brown's Boys star Jennifer Gibney and her dance partner Tristan MacManus.

Bruno Tonioli told Wallace that he must "go with the most accomplished couple", while Craig Revel Horwood noted that although "both couples improved enormously" he would be keeping Gibney in the competition.

"I enjoyed both performances, both deserved to stay, but the couple I am going to save is Jennifer and Tristan," said Darcey Bussell, while head judge Len Goodman added that he agreed with the others.

The 49-year-old described the Strictly experience as "the most terrifying thing [he has] ever, ever done".

"What I really liked most of all was practice, coming in [the studio] really scared me," he admitted. "If I come back again, can you just watch me while I practice?"

Wallace thanked Vilani for her patience and called her a saint, despite the pair scoring a low 18 for their Charleston on last night's show.

Their dance ended with Wallace plunging his face into a cream pie, before the judges described his performance as like a "fluffy éclair". "You dance like I cook – chuck it all in and hope for the best," joked Goodman.

Last week, Wallace was heavily criticised by gender equality campaigners for saying that two females could never present MasterChef because it was "a blokey thing". Whether or not his comments impacted on the public's vote remains unclear.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Tennis coach Judy Murray was bookies' favourite to leave Strictly after she scored 17 for her Cha-Cha-Cha with Anton du Beke.

"Your body seems to be as tight as a newly-strung racquet," Revel Horwood said, holding nothing back, while Tonioli added that her performance was "more Court 18 than Centre Court".

Next weekend's episode will have a movie theme and see another couple voted off.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in