Fern Britton's swept out of Strictly Come Dancing as she's voted off in shock dance-off with Kimberley Walsh
By EMMA GRITT
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Fern Britton might be one of the UK's best loved television personalities, but tonight it was clear she had no fans on the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing.
The bubbly 55-year old was sent home after finding herself in the bottom two alongside Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh.
Fern and her partner Artem Chigvintsev looked nervous as it was revealed that they were going head to head with Kimberley and her partner Pasha Kovalev for a place in next week's show.
Game over: Fern Britton and Artem Chigvintsev found themselves in the bottom two tonight.
Both couples had to dance again, in an all-deciding dance off.
The bottom two were worked out using a combination of the judges' scores and viewer votes.
It was then up to the judges, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Len Goodman, to decide the tense couples' fate.
Three of the four judges chose to save Walsh, whose position in the dance-off will have shocked many viewers.
Shimmy: Last night, Fern showed the judges a spicy salsa with her partner, Artem
Ta da!: Fern and Artem looked confident as they danced again for the judges
Flash dance: Blonde TV presenter Fern showed the judges what she was made of
Bruno Tonioli said: 'Well with all due respect, I thought one couple was outstanding and that couple is Kimberley and Pasha.'
Scathingly, Craig Revel Horwood described the choice between the two couples as a 'no brainer,' which may have echoed sentiments in living rooms across the country.
Fern, who presented This Morning for ten years, took defeat graciously.
Flirty: Fern unleashed her inner vixen as she gyrated over the judges' table
Feelin' it: Fern looked sensational in hot pink, and her hairstyle belied her 55 years.
Power lift: Artem scooped up his dancing partner for the grande finale of their dance
She said: This is the best party on the television, it's the best programme in the world, and I'm thrilled to have been part of it.
'My ticket on the train has run out. Everyone else - good luck, good luck, good luck! It's the best party.
'You've got dancing in the drawing room, you've got snogging upstairs, you've got throwing up in the garden. "It's been fantastic. You really do live that - the throwing up mostly!'
She also took the chance to personally thank her dancing partner for an exhilarating experience.
Gracious: Last night, Kimberley Walsh and Pasha Kovalev performed a Viennese Waltz
Excuse us?: Kimberley and Pasha were a surprise couple to end up in the bottom two
Impressive: The judges were delighted with Kimberley and Pasha, which is why they decided to save the couple
Effortless: Kimberley and Pasha made the tricky waltz look easy
She told the 30-year old Russian, 'Artem, I've loved it. I wouldn't have swapped you for anything. "There have been highs and lows, we've got to know each other pretty well, and I do adore you.
Fern then added, 'and Kimberley and Pasha are fantastic,' as she warmly embraced her rival.
This weekend viewers saw Fern and Artem raised temperatures with a spicy interpretation of the salsa.
Fern looked sensational in a short, hot pink dress with a sequined sweetheart neckline - even though she began her routine under a blue shirt, which she tore off in front of the judges.
However, they only scored a paltry 27 points which was enough to leave them at the bottom of the scoreboard.
However, Girls Aloud singer Kimberley's Viennese Waltz was awarded 34 points, and described as 'achingly romantic' by the usually hard to please Bruno.
Kimberley and Pasha's survival means that they will be take part in next week's Children In Need extravaganza at Wembley Arena.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2231414/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2012-Fern-Britton-given-dancing-orders-Kimberley-Walsh-saved.html#ixzz2Bx8fJ0TG
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