Strictly Come Dancing 2016: Laura Whitmore eliminated as Ore Oduba survives dance-off
LAURA WHITMORE was eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing tonight after ending up in the bottom two with BBC Sport presenter Ore Oduba.
Laura Whitmore says emotional goodbye to Strictly
The Irish presenter missed out on a trip to Blackpool by just two weeks after scoring 32 points for her Samba to Gipsy Kings 'Bamboleo' with partner Giovanni Pernice.
Laura found herself towards the bottom end of the leaderboard, tying in seventh place with Greg Rutherford and his partner Natalie Lowe.
When the public vote was combined with the judges' scores, Ore Oduba, who originally scored 34 points for his Salsa, also ended up in the dance-off.
After both couples danced again, the judges unanimously voted to save Ore and his partner Joanne Clifton.
Laura Whitmore found herself in the bottom two with Ore Oduba
Laura was eliminated with partner Giovanni following the dance-off
I will never ever forget this journey
Bruno Tonioli said: “First off, let me say this wasn’t a dance off, it was a dance treat. You both danced with such vibrancy, energy and entertainment value, it’s like splitting hairs here.
"We didn’t put you there, if you didn’t vote, don’t moan. But I have to pick one out of the two that in a way outshone everyone else, and that couple was Ore and Joanne.”
Laura, who suffered an ankle injury and was forced to miss week five of the series, topped the table in week six with her Tango.
The 31-year-old said she was thrilled to have been part of the Strictly experience.
The Strictly Come Dancing judges unanimously voted to save Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton
She told presenter Tess Daly: “Just being here, the judges, behind the scenes. I don’t think anyone realises how much goes on here, the make-up, the costume, everything and just to be part of that for a little while is amazing. And if I’m going to go against anyone then, Ore, I mean… I’m ok.”
Giovanni thanked his celebrity partner for her dedication, adding: “I would like to say again thank you for being such a great partner, an amazing person to work with, you teach me a lot and I will never ever forget this journey.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday at 6.55pm on BBC One.