Third time unlucky! Julien Macdonald is finally voted off Strictly Come Dancing after three consecutive weeks in the dance-off
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He narrowly avoided being voted off Strictly Come Dancing after competing in the dance-off for the past two weeks.
But it was a case of third time unlucky for fashion designer Julien Macdonald on Sunday night, as he became the third celebrity to exit the BBC talent show.
The bubbly Welshman found himself up against Countdown presenter Rachel Riley after they received the lowest amount of public votes combined with judges' scores.
Third time unlucky: Julien Macdonald became the third celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday night, alongside dance partner Janette Manrara
But after each performed a dance-off, Macdonald was told by judges he would be going home.
The award-winning designer said upon his exit: 'I'd like to thank everyone at home for voting for me, all the audience and the judges - even Craig!
'Most of all I've had an amazing time and this has been the best experience of my life and I've left on a high, I hope I have spiced everybody's night up!'
It was the third week in a row that he and professional partner Janette Manrara had found themselves in the bottom two.
Thank you so much! Julien insisted he had had a ball on the BBC talent show
The final time: Julien looked in great spirits as he enjoyed the final dance on the Strictly dancefloor
Time to say goodbye: Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli applaud Julien as he speaks to the crowd
He and Riley both performed their routines from Saturday night's show again - Macdonald dancing the salsa to The Spice Girls' Spice Up Your Life and Riley and partner Pasha Kovalev doing the quickstep to Johnny Got a Boom Boom by Imelda May - in a bid to remain in the competition.
Afterwards judge Darcey Bussell said: 'Both performances were 100 times better but for me it goes down to the difficulty of the dance and because of that I would like to save Rachel and Pasha.'
Craig Revel Horwood added: 'I am choosing the save the couple that simply danced the best on the night, Rachel and Pasha,' while Bruno Tonioli said: 'I have to go for content, skill and storytelling. My favourite dance was from Rachel and Pasha.'
Strutting his stuff: Julien's dance was to the tune of the Spice Girls' Spice Up Your Life
It had started so well! Julien had celebrated with his dance partner after his Spice Girls performance on Saturday night
Not again! Julien raised his head in frustration as he was told he would be in the dance-off for a third consecutive week
Macdonald scored 23 points in Saturday night's show, along with Dave Myers and Deborah Meaden.
But it was former Bond girl Fiona Fullerton who was at the bottom of the leaderboard with just 22 points.
Hairy Biker Myers, who was taken to a beauty salon by partner Karen Hauer ahead of the show, was told his waltz to The Eagles' Take It To The Limit was his best dance of the BBC1 series so far.
Disappointed: Rachel couldn't hide her disappointment as Tess Daly told her she would be in the dance-off
Trying her best: But Rachel said at least being in the dance-off would mean she had another opportunity to try again at the tough routine
Not good enough: Julien was joined in the dance off by Countdown presenter Rachel Riley
Giving it another go: Rachel and her partner quickstep to Johnny Got a Boom Boom by Imelda May once again
Meaden, who performed a jive to Bucks Fizz Eurovision-winning hit Making Your Mind Up and in the true spirit of the original had her skirt ripped off by partner Robin Windsor, was watched by fellow Dragons Den star Peter Jones from the audience.
But the entrepreneur was told 'it just wasn't your dance' by Bussell, while Revel Horwood added: 'There was no real spring in your step and the kicks I have to say were very, very lame.'
Meanwhile in joint place at the top of the chart were Abbey Clancy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Natalie Gumede, who all scored a 35 out of a possible 40.
We did it! Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen, and Susanna Reid, grinned as they were told they were through
What? Anton du Beke couldn't hide his shock as he and Fiona Fullerton were told they were through, despite being on the bottom of the leadboard
Former Coronation Street star Gumede wowed the judges with her performance after suffering from a compressed disc and sciatica which left her with chronic back pain all week and left her appearance in last night's show in doubt.
The pretty actress danced the quickstep to Usher's Yeah! after only having a couple of days to practice.
Tonioli said: 'I can't believe that you delivered a dance of this standard in such short time. You captured the spirit of the dance so well. I thought it was absolutely wonderful.'
Clancy and partner Aljaz Skorjanec's tango to Florence and the Machine's Spectrum was 'snappier than the crack of a whip', according to Tonioli.
Stunning sounds: The Voice UK winner Andrea Begley sang on the results show as Anya Garnis and Pasha Kovalev performed
Mixed emotions: Keane, who have just announced they are splitting, also performed on the show
Leave it to the professionals! As usual, the Strictly pros showed off their dancing skills in another stunning routine
'You are a formidable couple. There was snap, crackle, pop. Punchy, dynamic. That was a terrific tango,' added Goodman.
The night had got off to a promising start with Ellis-Bextor's 'exquisite' foxtrot to Cheek to Cheek by Dick Haymes which earnt her and partner Brendan Cole a standing ovation.
Tonioli told the singer: 'You really look like a star from Hollywood's golden era.'
We did it! Abbey Clancy couldn't hide her delight that she had been saved for another week
'It was elegant, it was graceful. The movement around the floor was absolutely exquisite,' Revel Horwood added.
The results show also featured a performance from Keane along with this year's The Voice UK winner Andrea Begley.
Twelve couples now remain in the competition.
Still smiling! Julien looked in good spirits as he headed home, despite being voted off
Struggling: Rachel looked downcast as she was seen leaving after the dance-off
Top of the board: Natalie Gumede managed to battle through her back injury to put on a stunning performance
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2468953/Julien-Macdonald-voted-Strictly-Come-Dancing-weeks-dance-off.html#ixzz2iItgP62a
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