Graeme Swann has opened up about his Strictly Come Dancing experience after losing his place on the show.
The cricketer became the ninth celebrity to leave the competition last night, after going up against former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and her pro partner Pasha Kovalev in the bottom two.
Graeme even made a cheeky remark about his dancing expertise as he was booted off the show, which was thought to be about Ashley’s experience.
The 39-year-old sportsman joked: “Secretly I’ve had 25 years of ballroom experience, but I kept that to myself.”
However, he also hailed Ashley, 37, as an “incredible dancer”.
He later thanked viewers and his professional partner, Oti Mabuse, on Twitter.
Graeme wrote: “And so the @bbcstrictly adventure comes to an end. I embraced it with all I had and loved every minute. Your messages of love and support are beautiful and I thank you all.
“I’m the lucky one, I got to spend ten weeks with the truly incredible @OtiMabuse.”
And so the @bbcstrictly adventure comes to an end. I embraced it with all I had and loved every minute. Your messages of love and support are beautiful and I thank you all. I’m the lucky one, I got to spend ten weeks with the truly incredible @OtiMabuse. 🌟❤️🕺🏼💃🔥
— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) November 25, 2018
Oti, 28, couldn’t praise Graeme enough after their journey together on the show.
She called their time “unforgettable” and said fans helped them get through each week.
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She tweeted: “Just want to truly make a special thank you to everyone who was on our side, sent positive messages and energy to us.
“Without you we wouldn’t have made it passed week 2 thank you for voting and seeing and hope and potential is Graeme and myself! It’s been unforgettable.”
Just want to truly make a special thank you to everyone who was on our side, sent positive messages and energy to us. Without you we wouldn’t have made it passed week 2 thank you for voting and seeing and hope and potential is Graeme and myself! It’s been unforgettable ❤️
— Oti Mabuse (@OtiMabuse) November 25, 2018
Meanwhile, Ashley shared her gratitude for staying in the competition.
Fans voiced their sadness at Graeme leaving the competition, with some feeling judge Craig Revel-Horwood was too harsh for calling his elimination a “no brainer”.
While judge Bruno Tonioli said Ashley was “much stronger on every level”.
Felt the #Strictly judges were rude & disrespectful to Graeme Swann. No need to describe his elimination as a “no brainer”. Have to believe professionally trained dancer Ashley Roberts isn’t overly popular with viewers to be in the bottom two……
— Stuart ⚓️ (@TweetsByStu) November 25, 2018
I love #Strictly but the judges were down right rude and obnoxious to Graeme swann, we all new the outcome as Ashley Roberts is a trained dancer, but that was disgusting way to comment and showed no respect to Graeme who has more character than Ashley has!! #rudestrictlyjudges
— caroline wakeford (@06carrie06) November 26, 2018
Unnecessary, unprofessional, unkind #strictly judges. Graeme Swann didn’t deserve those comments after the dance off.
— Kerenza Dee (@kerenza9) November 25, 2018
However, it’s not the last we will be seeing of Oti.
She will be back on our screens alongside Cheryl Tweedy, to judge new dance show The Greatest Dancer.
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The new show is set to air next year.
Will you miss Graeme and Oti on Strictly Come Dancing? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.