Bury’s Layton Williams has narrowly made it into the quarter-finals of Strictly Come Dancing after finding himself in the dance-off on tonight’s results show.
The Bad Education star, 29, found himself in the bottom two along with TV presenter Angela Scanlon following the judges' scores and a public vote.
Ahead of performing the American Smooth again for the judges Layton said: “I’m obviously disappointed [to be in the dance-off] going from the top to the bottom, I’m really sorry.
“But I’m just going to go out and do my best and put on a show and have a good time.”
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke chose to save Williams and professional Nikita Kuzmin after they re-performed an American Smooth routine to It’s Oh So Quiet by Bjork.
Du Beke said: “I don’t think either couple danced as well as they can. It was the closest dance off we’ve had in the series so far.
“This is the only thing, I saw an error from one of the couples, so I’m going to vote to keep in to the quarter-finals, Layton and Nikita.”
However, head judge Shirley Ballas opted for Scanlon and professional Carlos Gu’s cha cha routine to I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.
Ballas, known as the Queen of Latin, said: “Well important for me always when it comes to ballroom and Latin is the character of the dance, that it’s true to the dance, timing and quality and I would have voted for Angela and Carlos.”
However, she did not have to put down her casting vote and Scanlon, who previously presented the rebooted Robot Wars with Irish comedian Dara O’Briain and hosts Your Home Made Perfect, was eliminated.
Scanlon said: “It’s been honestly incredible, I’m gutted, really gutted that it’s finished now, but it has been the most wonderful experience.
“I have made the best friend in this man (Carlos).
“We have had so much fun, he is such an incredible guy.
“He has supported me and picked me up and made me laugh so much.
“I don’t know what to say, it’s been magical honestly – all of those people up there.
“My husband at home, my two little girls and all my friends.”
Gu said she has worked “so hard” before adding: “Look at her now – I am so proud, her sense of humour and we had so much fun everyday – she cracks me up laughing.”
Bury-born former Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola received the highest score of the night from the judges with 37 points.
Mabuse said that “it was about intimacy” and there was a real story for their “brilliant” Argentine Tango to Bills, Bills, Bills by Destiny’s Child.
The results show also featured Scottish rock band Texas singing Inner Smile, a dance from professionals Vito Coppola and Luba Mushtuk and what the show described as “whodunnit-inspired routine” from Strictly’s dancers.
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