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Strictly Come Dancing 2014: Jennifer Gibney becomes second celebrity to leave competition

The Mrs Brown's Boys actress foxtrotted off the show

Antonia Molloy
Monday 13 October 2014 10:23 BST
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Jennifer Gibney and partner Tristan MacManus
Jennifer Gibney and partner Tristan MacManus (BBC)

Jennifer Gibney became the second celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing last night, as her foxtrot failed to impress the judges.

The Mrs Brown’s Boy’s star lost the elimination dance-off against Blue singer Simon Webbe, who performed a rumba.

As Movie Week came to an end, the Irish comedy actress abandoned her bid for the glitter ball trophy. The judges, flanked by guest Donny Osmond, decided they didn’t want her and partner Tristan MacManus to “go again” with their dance to Abba’s "Mamma Mia".

The panel unanimously agreed that Webbe and Kristina Rihanoff's rumba to Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" from Top Gun was the superior dance, after the two couples finished bottom of the public vote.

Gibney, who plays husband Brendan O'Carroll's on-screen daughter Cathy in the hit Irish comedy, said: "Before this, I didn't know how to dance. I wanted to learn how to dance and I now know how to jive, how to waltz and how to foxtrot, however badly!

"I've learned three dances and I've had a great time with Tristan. He is one of the family and he will remain one of the family."

The moment of truth (pic: BBC) (PA)

Gibney was made the bookies' favourite for elimination after Saturday night's show, in which Judy Murray and Bargain Hunt presenter Tim Wonnacott also struggled to find their feet.

MacManus said his partner had tried her best during her run on the show.

"She made every day that I've known her so far as enjoyable as the next," he said

"I hope she's not telling lies now and she will talk to me after tonight! It's been a pleasure to get to know you and your family."

On BBC Radio 2 this morning, Chris Evans joked that Wonnacott could be next to leave. Wonnacott, Gibney and MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace, who left the competition last week, all appeared on The One Show to announce that they would be starring in Strictly. Evans noted the emerging pattern with playful ominosity.

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