Rachel Riley voted off Strictly Come Dancing following dance-off with Abbey Clancy
COUNTDOWN star Rachel Riley has been voted off Strictly Come Dancing 2013 tonight following a dance off with Abbey Clancy.
The 27-year-old and her partner Pasha Kovalev were in the bottom two for the second time and despite a strong performance were not saved by any of the judges.
The blonde beauty was emotional after losing her place on the BBC One dancing competition but said she had a great time on the show and felt she went out on a high.
A tearful Rachel said: "I haven’t cried until now, I have made some amazing friends. I really enjoyed tonight, I really enjoyed yesterday’s dance so I’m really pleased to go out on a high.
"Abbey is just gorgeous, a gorgeous dancer, a gorgeous girl and I have no shame in getting knocked out to her. I have just loved it - from the make-up, to the hair - the whole show."
She and Pasha performed an American Smooth to ‘Put A Spell On You’ by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins on the Halloween special of Strictly.
While Abbey and her partner Aljaž Skorjanec did their Rumba to ‘Stay’ by Shakespeare’s Sister.
The judges said it was a tough decision as both couples performed well but all of them voted for Abbey to survive the dance off.
Darcey Bussell said: “Both couples performed even better tonight, so it’s very difficult, but the couple I have to save is Abbey and Aljaž.”
While Bruno Tonioli said: “It’s very difficult because you both did very, very well, but I would like for Abbey and Aljaž to stay.”
Rachel, who had previously admitted she wasn't a natural dancer, praised her partner Pasha for looking after her during her time on Strictly.
She said: "He is just the nicest person in the world. He couldn’t have looked after me better, it has just been an absolute pleasure."
Rachel became the fifth celebrity to be voted off Strictly 2013.
Strictly Come Dancing 2013 leaderboard
Natalie & Artem
Patrick & Anya
Abbey & Aljaž
Susanna & Kevin
Ashley & Ola
Ben & Kristina
Rachel & Pasha
Fiona & Anton
Sophie & Brendan
Mark & Iveta
Dave & Karen