Katie McGlynn and her professional dance partner Gorka Marquez are the second couple to be eliminated from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing after facing off against Judi Love and Graziano di Prima in Sunday’s Movie Week dance off.
Movie Week saw Hollyoaks actress Katie, 28, and Gorka, 31, perform their American Smooth to Cruella De Vil from Cruella in a bid to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas and remain in the competition.
Loose Women star Judi, 41, and Graziano, 27, performed a Charleston to When You’re Good to Mama from Chicago.
Out! Katie McGlynn and her professional dance partner Gorka Marquez are the second couple to be eliminated from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing
After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts.
Craig chose to save Judi and Graziano, saying: ‘Well I think both couples did really well, and improved in the dance off itself, but there was one couple for me who shone brighter in the performance, and that is Judi and Graziano.’
Motsi also chose to save Judi and Graziano.
She said: ‘I think this is getting tougher and tougher every year, it was so close, it was a really hard decision to take, but I am just going to go with the overall positive picture which was more dance intensive, so I am going to go with Judi and Graziano.’
Gone! They faced off against Judi Love and Graziano di Prima in Sunday’s Movie Week dance off
Cruella: Movie Week saw Hollyoaks actress Katie, 28, and Gorka, 31, perform their American Smooth to Cruella De Vil from Cruella in a bid to impress the judges
Anton put his vote behind Katie and Gorka, telling them: It really is not the nicest part of the show. I thought that both the couples danced very very well, their performances they gave this evening were very very strong.
‘I just felt that one couple was cleaner than the other, and one couple made a very slight mistake. Because of that I am going to save Katie and Gorka.’
With two votes to one, it was up to head judge Shirley to decide which couple would stay in the competition and chose Judi and Graziano.
Of her decision, Shirley said: ‘This is is always a tough part of the job. Both couples gave it their very very best, I didn’t see any mistakes from either one, both beautiful performances.
‘I am going to go with the one that I felt had more edge and more rhythm to me, so I am going to go with Judi and Graziano.’
Chicago: Loose Women star Judi, 41, and Graziano, 27, performed a Charleston to When You’re Good to Mama from Chicago
When asked by host Tess Daly about their time on the show, Katie said: ‘I have absolutely loved my time, I am so happy I got to be Cruella, and dance with this amazing guy, I have loved every second of it.’
She added: ‘Thank you for being an amazing partner, we have laughed so much, and I get to walk away with an amazing friend. Thanks so much for teaching me in your funny ways, we have had so much fun.’
Asked whether he had any words for Katie, Gorka sweetly told her: ‘I have loved it, the love that she has for the show.
‘I think talking for myself, and all the pros, when we come to the show, it isn’t just about someone who can dance, it is someone who wants to learn, who wants to improve, and makes us love what we do, and makes our job enjoyable and easy.’
Close call: Judi saw herself in the dance off on Sunday’s elimination show however was saved after impressing the judges
He concluded: ‘That’s what I had with Katie and I will never forget this experience, it’s been incredible.’
Movie Week opened with a stunning and cinematic period drama inspired group routine from our Strictly professionals, before the remaining couples took to the ballroom floor for a night of movie inspired performances.
Sunday’s result show opened with a dance from the talented Strictly professionals, inspired by 2021 film In the Heights.
There was also a music performance from Ben Platt. Ben performed You Will Be Found from the movie Dear Evan Hansen.
The remaining thirteen couples will take to the dancefloor again on Saturday October 16 at 7pm.
Wow: Sunday’s result show opened with a dance from the talented Strictly professionals, inspired by 2021 film In the Heights
