Strictly Come Dancing: Ellie Simmonds is the sixth celebrity to depart the dance floor

Ellie Simmonds is the sixth celebrity to leave the dance floor in Strictly Come Dancing 2022 after facing Molly Rainford in the dreaded dance-off.

Both couples performed their routines again, with Ellie and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin performing their Charleston to Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate.

After that, Molly and her dance partner Carlos Gu performed their Foxtrot for My Sun and My Stars’ You Make Me Happy in an attempt to impress the judges and stay in the competition.

After both couples danced a second time, the judges rendered their verdict, with Craig Revel Horwood choosing to save Molly and Carlos.

Everywhere: Ellie Simmonds (right) is the sixth celebrity to leave the dance floor in Strictly Come Dancing 2022 after facing Molly Rainford in the dreaded dance-off

He said, ‘Well, the couple I’d like to save is a couple that I think danced better than they did on Saturday night, in this particular dance-off and that couple is Molly and Carlos’

Motsi Mabuse agreed, adding: “First of all, I thought that dance-off was incredible. Both couples really danced extremely well. I’ve decided to save Molly and Carlos.’

Confirming the result, Anton Du Beke said: ‘Well, I think both couples can take credit for dancing an absolutely amazing dance.

“But the couple I’d like to save to make the show even better than Saturday night are Molly and Carlos.”

Thanks: Emotional star wiped away tears after crediting dance partner Nikita Kuzmin for helping ‘change her life’

Here we go: Both couples re-enacted their routines, with Ellie and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin performing their Charleston to Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate

With three votes to Molly and Carlos, it meant they had won the majority of the vote and would remain in the competition anyway, but Chief Judge Shirley Ballas also said she would have saved Molly and Carlos.

She said, “Well, it was one of the best dance-offs I’ve ever seen, but again, the performance was a bit stronger in this dance-off and I would have awarded it to Molly and Carlos.”

When Tess asked her about her time on the show, Ellie said, “I’ve literally had the time of my life. It has been the most incredible experience – life really changes.

“I want to say a big thank you to Nikita. I’m going to miss him – he changed my life and confidence. And all of you – the pros. All of you who have been Strictly a part of this. Behind closed doors, the costume designers, I literally loved waking up every day and dancing. I’m going to dance forever.’

Almost, but not quite: Ellie’s dance performance wasn’t enough to get her through to next week’s show

Dance floor chemistry: It was a last hurray from Ellie and Nikita during a memorable dance-off on Sunday night’s show

She added: “It’s unbelievable, this show is life-changing. He is [Nikita] changed my life. We have had the most amazing days. Not only have we had dancing days, but days when we’ve only talked for hours.

“And the confidence you’ve given me – I seem confident, but you know how I am, I worry so much about everything and we literally represented everything. We went out every night and danced our lives and I loved it so much.’

When asked if he had words for his partner, an emotional Nikita said, “First of all, next time let me speak first, because I’m crying! I’m a little disappointed because I wish Ellie would have a little more time for this TV show, I know how much it means to her.

Tribute: ‘It’s unbelievable, this show is life-changing. He is [Nikita] changed my life,” Ellie said of her dance partner after Molly was voted unanimously

Farewell: Ellie was surrounded by her Strictly co-stars after the judges cast their unanimous vote on Sunday night’s show

‘I’m really glad this journey has been with you [Ellie] because she taught me so much, so much empathy, just so much, I learned so much in these seven weeks.

‘I really wanted to come with you to Blackpool, I think we should go there for the rides? I love you Els, I just want to tell you that everyone in this room loves you. That’s just to say how much of a beautiful person you are.

“You spend time going to everyone in this room. You care about everyone. You are just such a wonderful person and I am so glad I had the chance to dance with you.”

Sunday’s results show opened with a beautiful commercial Bollywood inspired routine from the Strictly professionals and Welsh actor Luke Evans performed his single Bridge Over Troubled Water, taken from his album A Song For You.

The remaining nine couples will take to the dance floor next time when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday, November 12 at 6:55pm, with the results on Sunday, November 13 at 7:20pm on BBC One.