James Cracknell and Luba Mushtuk have become the first couple to leave the 2019 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The Olympic champion failed to wow the judges with his jive on Saturday night and it seems viewers were equally unimpressed, as he had to face David James – who is paired with Nadiya Bychkova – in the dance off.
Once the two couples had performed their routines for a second time, the judges all opted to save ex-England pro David.
Craig Revel-Horwood said: “Well for me in that dance off one couple improved beyond compare and that couple is the couple I would like to save, David and Nadiya.”
New judge Motsi Mabuse said she felt James’s performance was “stronger” and had “a stronger intention, clearer actions, before Bruno Tonioli agreed.
“I have to save the couple that really showed to me how you apply and you work on the comments of the judges and deliver a performance that is almost night and day from one day to the other,” he explained.
Head Judge Shirley Ballas said she would also have chosen to save David and Nadiya.
With his fate sealed, James shared his thoughts on his brief time on the series, telling Tess Daly: “I’m enjoying it anyway, the luxury of being with someone so good and learning off them.
“I’m a way better dancer than I was two weeks ago. Luba’s been amazing with being so patient with a couple of left feet.”
Luba added: “I would like to say a huge thank you with all my heart to make this journey so amazing. You inspired me every day and I hope you inspire many more other people to start dancing.”
The remaining 14 couples will take to the dancefloor next week in a spectacular Movie Special.
The live episode will air at 7.10pm on Saturday, October 5.
Strictly Come Dancing 2019
1/15
Alex Scott
PA
2/15
Karim Zeroual
PA
3/15
Catherine Tyldesley
PA
4/15
David James
PA
5/15
Anneka Rice
PA
6/15
James Cracknell
PA
7/15
Emma Weymouth
PA
8/15
Chris Ramsey
PA
9/15
Saffron Barker
PA
10/15
Dev Griffin
PA
11/15
Michelle Visage
PA
12/15
Will Bayley
PA
13/15
Emma Barton
PA
14/15
Kelvin Fletcher
PA
15/15
Mike Bushell
PA
1/15
Alex Scott
PA
2/15
Karim Zeroual
PA
3/15
Catherine Tyldesley
PA
4/15
David James
PA
5/15
Anneka Rice
PA
6/15
James Cracknell
PA
7/15
Emma Weymouth
PA
8/15
Chris Ramsey
PA
9/15
Saffron Barker
PA
10/15
Dev Griffin
PA
11/15
Michelle Visage
PA
12/15
Will Bayley
PA
13/15
Emma Barton
PA
14/15
Kelvin Fletcher
PA
15/15
Mike Bushell
PA