Strictly Come Dancing, week 10 results: Graeme Swann is latest celebrity to leave the dance floor

Former England cricketer was voted off on the Sunday night results show that also featured a performance by Sir Rod Stewart

Graeme and Oti on Strictly Come Dancing (BBC)

Graeme Swann has become the latest celebrity to exit the dance floor in Strictly Come Dancing 2018.

The former English cricketer is the ninth celebrity to leave the competition, after he and his professional partner Oti Mabuse faced Ashley Roberts and her partner Pashs Kovalev in the dance-off at Blackpool.

Viewers’ votes were combined with the judges’ scores to decide the two lowest-scoring couples who would have to perform their Saturday night routines again in the Sunday results show, which opened with a group routine and a performance of Sir Rod Stewart singing his new song "Farewell".

Graeme and Oti then performed a Quickstep to “Sing Sing Sing” by The Andrews Sisters, and Ashley and Pasha performed their Samba to “Hot Hot Hot” by Arrow. After both couples had danced a second time, the four judges delivered their verdicts:

Craig Revel Horwood said the decision was a “no brainer” and saved Ashley and Pasha, as did Darcey Bussell, who said their dance was the more “technically efficient”.

“No disrespect but it’s evident,” Bruno Tolioni agreed. “Overall much, much stronger on every level, come on, it’s Ashley. Ashley and Pasha.”

Shirley Ballas did not have to cast her vote but said she would also have saved Ashley and Pasha.

When asked by Tess about his time on the show, Graeme said: “I’d have voted for Ashley and Pasha as well. I can’t quite believe I was put against them to be honest but this whole journey I’ve got to say, before I say gloating things about Oti that I’m obviously going to. This show and what you’ve got is something special and thank you for letting me be a part of it.”

Asked if she had any words for Graeme, Oti said: “I’ve had the best season of my entire career on Strictly. I have never laughed so much, I’ve never been so angry so much. I have the best friend in you. We might not have been the best dancers but you have the spirit of Strictly. The show is such a nice family to be a part of the judges are amazing, the pros and the celebs are such a great support because they are lovely so thank you guys.”

The remaining seven couples will take to the dance floor next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 1 December, at 6.50pm.