After performing the American Smooth, the combination of the viewer votes and judges’ scores left Don and his partner Lilia Kopylova in the bottom two with Heather Small and Brian Fortuna.

Both couples had to perform a second time for the judges’ deciding vote.

Of Don and Lilia’s dance the judges said –

Arlene Phillips: “I loved the start, you placed your arms well, you started to smile and I thought, ‘fabulous you’re relaxed’. Then suddenly it went cold, you started thinking about what you were doing; you wouldn’t let the dance in. You started that way and then you finished another. Let the dance take over your body.” Score: 6.

Len Goodman: “Well, I didn’t mind it at all. It wasn’t your best and it wasn’t your worst. It was somewhere in the middle. I thought it was a very competent performance. A very difficult dance once you’re over a certain age with the lifts and all. I wouldn’t like to try and lift her up – not with my back.” Score: 7.

Bruno Tonioli: “Well, you were a bit off tonight. For an actor it surprises me because you should get what the dance is about. The shoulder was up a little bit, it was not very good technically but usually you get the performance out. You get the character, you should really know how to come out and play.” Score: 6.

Craig Revel Horwood: “I think you did an adequate job. Your shoulders let you down a little bit – they were a little bit tight, and sometimes they raise up through the dance. There were a few funky gesticulations with your fingers at the end and you did some funky bit of nonsense. Sometimes you just tend to work against one another, but it was a good job.” Score: 6.

The judges gave them a total of 25 out of 40 for their performance.

After the dance-off, Heather and Brian were saved by Craig, Arlene and Bruno, who all voted for them to stay in the competition, leaving head judge Len to comment on the couples rather than vote.

Len said: “I disagreed. I would have voted for Don and Lilia. Heather did perform better, but I thought Don and Lilia gave a more polished and cleaner performance.”

After Don and Lilia’s elimination, Don said: “I am sad, Lilia is wonderful. I’m more sad that I won’t be able to dance with her anymore.”

Lilia replied: “Don is great, I know how much he enjoyed this and he’s tried so hard.”

The Sunday results show had performances from Alesha Dixon, Katherine Jenkins and Darcey Bussell.

Next week the remaining celebrity couples will be performing the Viennese Waltz and the Paso Doble to stay in the competition.

View the original post Don Warrington Leaves Strictly Come Dancing on Unreality TV

Don is best known for his role of Philip Smith in the sitcom Rising Damp, co-starring the late Leonard Rossiter and Kate Beckinsdale’s late father, Richard Beckinsale.

He has also appeared in crime drama C.A.T.S. Eyes, New Street Law, Grange Hill, Red Dwarf, Holby City and The Crouches.

Renowned for his deep, theatrical voice, Don has also performed with the National Theatre, the English Shakespeare Company and Bristol Old Vic and regularly provides voice-overs for both BBC TV and radio.

Don was awarded an MBE in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.

Don says: “The last time I danced was a very long time ago. I’m still learning to put one foot in front of the other one!”

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2008: Don Warrington on Unreality TV