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Strictly Come Dancing: Katie Piper is out of the competition!

It followed a dance-off with Charles Venn

It might’ve been the most dramatic week of dancing yet, and – following a tense dance-off – Katie Piper has been eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing.

It was down to Katie and Charles Venn in the final showdown, with the judges saving the Casualty actor. It meant presenter Katie and her dance partner, Gorka Marquez, went home.

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Katie is the next contestant to be eliminated (Credit: BBC)

It was a shock loss for the charity campaigner after she received praise on Saturday night for her jive.

Katie and Gorka delighted judge Shirley Ballas, who said she had “much improved”.

Fellow judge Darcey Bussell told Katie: “It was so endearing, the way you bounced off each other… well done!”

katie piper gorka marquez strictly
The judges were mostly positive about the jive (credit: BBC)

Craig Revel Horwood was the only negative voice, telling Katie it was “really off time” and “very stompy”. He gave them a 3, while the other judges all awarded them a 5.

It was the second week in a row that Casualty star Charles and his partner Karen Clifton were in the dance off.

Charles appeared on the BBC spin-off show It Takes Two, where he admitted he couldn’t see why Craig thought the pair were not “gelling well” as a couple.

charles venn strictly karen clifton
Katie went up against actor Charles (credit: BBC)

He said: “I did not understand. I’m not going to lie to you, I think we’ve gelled really well.”

He added: “I think me and Karen have great chemistry when we dance, but you know that’s just up to opinion isn’t it.”

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Charles received praise from judges (credit: BBC)

Last week he and Karen sent Blue star Lee Ryan home, and Charles said: “It was difficult, but you know it becomes a tunnel vision situation and you say to yourself at the end of the day: ‘It’s fight or flight’. It’s either you fold or you just perform and I think we just grabbed the bull by the scruff of the horns and went for it.”

The judges were unanimous is saving Charles… and sending home Katie.

Read more: Strictly viewers think Seann and Katya were marked too generously

It followed security stepping up for mum-of-two Katie, 30, as her acid attacker was released from prison.

Katie Piper Announced For Strictly Come Dancing In Manchester
Katie was eliminated in week 4 (credit: SplashNews)

Stefan Sylvestre was granted parole after just nine years of the life sentence he was given for the attack on her.

According to The Sun, Sylvestre was released from Highpoint jail, in Suffolk on Wednesday and brought to a bail hostel in London.

As a result, the publication reports that Katie has been joined by a bodyguard during breaks from Strictly rehearsals.

You’ve been a brilliant contestant, Katie (credit: BBC)

A source told The Sun: “Sylvestre’s licence conditions include an exclusion zone which bars him from an area around Katie’s address.

“Any attempt to go near the ‘Strictly’ studios in Hertfordshire would almost certainly also see him returned straight to jail.

“But although Sylvestre is banned from contacting Katie in any way, the simple fact that he’s back in London will be of great concern to her.”

Read more: Corrie’s Jane Danson reveals reason she’s doing Dancing On Ice

We’re sad to see Katie go, but there’s no denying the competition is hotting up. Who will be next in the firing line?

Did the right couple leave? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor