Strictly Come Dancing 2023 results: Annabel Croft becomes the tenth star to leave the show after facing Bobby Brazier in the dance and revealing the three finalists

Annabel Croft was the tenth star to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2023 after Sunday's dreaded dance-off.

The former tennis star, 57, and her professional partner Johannes Radebe narrowly missed out on a place in the final after facing Bobby Brazier in the dreaded dance competition.

It was an emotional exit for the couple as Annabel told Johannes he had given her another 'reason to get out of bed' – after the tragic death of her 30-year-old husband Mel Coleman in May this year.

Meanwhile, Johannes struggled to hold back tears and his voice broke as he told her, “My life is richer with you in it.”

Annabel had performed both the salsa and a Viennese waltz during Saturday's show, but found herself at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Annabel and Johannes danced their Viennese waltz to Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by Slow Moving Millie

After being eliminated, Annabel said: “It has been the most life-changing and extraordinary experience of my life.

“I have to congratulate Bobby and Dianne and all the competitors who took part. But obviously it's been an amazing, magical experience for me.”

She turned to her partner Johannes and added: 'Johannes, you have been absolutely extraordinary. You've given me a reason to get out of bed and come dance with you, to distract me and heal.

'I can't thank you enough for that. You have been so patient, so caring and so loving. You are an incredibly special person. I just adore you. Thank you so much.'

When asked if he had anything for his partner, Johannes replied: 'I would like to thank you. Thank you for making the decision to come here. Thank you to Strictly Come Dancing for sending her to me.

'My life is richer with you in it. I hope we dance long after this is over. You know my heart and I just want to thank you Annabel. Thank you Lily, thank you Amber, thank you Charlie.”

Annabel's departure means the 2023 finalists have been revealed as Bobby and Dianne, Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola and Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin

Emotional fans took to Twitter, with one even saying they had 'never felt so sad' about an elimination

Annabel then added: 'It really was the most incredible rollercoaster ride. I've honestly had every kind of emotion you can imagine. It's the most magical show.'

Meanwhile, Bobby and Dianne were filmed sobbing as they took to the floor for their final dance.

Fans were also left in tears after Annabel's emotional departure.

One said: 'I have never felt so sad about an elimination, Annabel Croft has been absolutely wonderful and kind to follow over the last two months and see her progress and determination.

“She was an excellent competitor and Johannes was the perfect partner for her.”

A second added: 'Damn why Johannes and Annabel keep making us cry.'

A third said they were blubbing as they watched the emotional semi-final.

After Annabel landed in the bottom two of the voting, she and Bobby once again performed their favorite routine of the night for the judges.

First, Bobby and his dance partner Dianne Buswell performed their Quickstep to Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin.

Then Annabel and Johannes danced their Viennese waltz to Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by Slow Moving Millie.

After both couples danced for the second time, the judges delivered their verdict, with Craig Revel Horwood choosing to save Annabel and Johannes.

After being eliminated, Annabel said: 'It has been the most life-changing and extraordinary experience of my life'

Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell (left) now advance to next week's final

Annabel and Johannes took to the stage to dance for the last time after narrowly missing a spot in the final

He said, 'Well, one dance was flashy, one dance was quiet. I think both couples have become completely equal.

“I saw improvement in this one couple and based on this dance and nothing else from the past other than this dance alone, Annabel and Johannes are the person who I think had the most refined technique.”

However, Motsi Mabuse chose to save Bobby and Dianne, saying: “First of all I have to say this was a really tough one tonight, I think both couples danced really well, and after dancing I stood there for a few minutes. seconds to make my decision.

“There was one dance where there was a slight hesitation at a turn, one slight hesitation was the decision, and I will save Bobby and Dianne.

Anton Du Beke also chose to save Bobby and Dianne, saying: “Well, the semi-final, I mean it's going to be hugely disappointing for someone, but I also think it's a celebration of how well you both did have done and how far you have come. come and you danced wonderfully throughout the entire series.

“It was a close run and literally because it didn't come out of a running section as cleanly as they would have liked and I would have liked, I'm going to save Bobby and Dianne.”

With two votes for Bobby and Dianne, and one for Annabel and Johannes, this meant that head judge Shirley Ballas had the casting vote, and she decided to save Bobby and Dianne.

She said: 'The 2023 semi-final, I thought both couples were absolutely extraordinary, I felt both couples are taking their performances to the next level, I thought there was technical quality on both sides, improvements galore, but again a small mistake that came from a pivot and therefore my decision would be to save Bobby and Dianne.”

The former tennis star, 57, and her professional partner Johannes Radebe narrowly missed out on a place in the final after facing Bobby in the dreaded dance-off

Annabel had performed both the salsa and a Viennese waltz during Saturday's show, but was bottom of the leaderboard

Annabel then added: 'It's been the most incredible rollercoaster ride, I've had every emotion you can imagine.

'I would like to thank Strictly for allowing me to take part in this competition. Thank you to the judges for your great commentary and guidance throughout the competition.

“But I also see this as a thousand-piece puzzle and I wish everyone in the audience could see what's going on behind the scenes because the machinery that makes it work and makes the show what it is is quite extraordinary.

'The most wholesome magical show for family entertainment with so much glitz and glamor and so much fun for everyone.

'It was amazing and I can't thank everyone enough. Thank you so much, Johannes, for the most special time I had with you.'

Annabel's departure means that the 2023 finalists have been announced as Bobby and Dianne, Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola and Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin.

Earlier in the results show, the professional dancers performed a spectacular and festive group number.

They opened what is the final single results show of the series – and were even joined at the end by a golden retriever called Mr Darcy.

Next week they'll hit the dance floor for the final time as they try to win the Glitterball Trophy.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Final airs live on Saturday December 16 at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Take That took to the stage to perform in the results show