Tony Jacklin becomes first celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2013

The golfer's Charleston was deemed below par by the judges

Tony Jacklin dances to be saved by the judges (BBC)

Former golf champion Tony Jacklin has become the first celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2013.

Jacklin faced fashion designer Julien Macdonald in the “dance-off”, but the golfer’s Charleston was judged below par.

Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli chose to save Macdonald and his partner Janette Manrara, who danced the Tango to Lady Gaga’s latest single “Applause”.

Jacklin, 69, came under fire for his Charleston routine, in which he used a golf club as a prop and wore a pink and green diamond-patterned golfing top.

Tonioli told the golfer: “The most exciting thing in that was the jumper,” while Revel Horwood added: “The Charleston should be lively, energetic, frenetic. Unfortunately yours was limp, lame and lacklustre.”

Head judge Len Goodman said: “Tony you've been one of my golfing heroes all of my life, sadly I have to say I would have gone with Julien and Janette, but you're still one of my heroes.”

Speaking backstage, Jacklin said: “I’m a tough pupil. I’m going to stick to golf I think. I have enjoyed myself, it’s been a glimpse into another world which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I had no concept of the work that goes into this, and the work ethic that these girls have. I did my best.”

The golfer, who is described as the most successful British golf player of his generation, confessed to feeling “petrified” on Saturday before going on stage to perform the Charleston.

He said: “It was a very, very intimidating situation going on stage in front of 10 million people - I felt like running away half an hour before going on last night but there was security all over the place.”

Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday with the first of this year’s themed shows.