'I've had the time of my life!' Hairy Biker Dave Myers' progress hits the skids as he becomes the sixth contestant to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing
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Dave Myers has become the sixth celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing.
The Hairy Bikers star rode off after failing to impress with his dance-off tango to I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers, but admitted in had been a 'spectacular privilege' to take part in the BBC One show.
Dave and his partner Karen Hauer had ended up in the bottom two alongside Mark Benton following the public vote, but all four of the judges - Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood - chose to save the actor and professional dancer Iveta Lukosiute.
He's off: Hairy Biker Dave Myers is the sixth celebrity to be voted off the current series of Strictly Come Dancing
The television chef was praised by Bruno for being so entertaining - but admitted that Benton's Rumba to Shirley Bassey's Goldfinger was a better dance.
Speaking to show host Tess Daly, he said: 'I've had the time of my life Tess. I mean, I've met some wonderful friends, but everything is down to our Karen. I did come to this having never danced before, well - only planted my feet and banged my head.
'The first dancing lesson is a bit like having your first driving lesson but they give you a Ferrari, so you're bound to crunch the gears, but she's still in one piece.
'But I think with her and Kevin, myself and my wife, we've just made the most wonderful friends. And you lot are alright as well. I would like to thank everyone at Strictly, including yourself (Tess), including all of the professional dancers who've embraced us lot.
'I've had the time of my life': Dave remained upbeat despite losing out to actor Mark Benton in the dance-off
That's life: Dave Myers and Karen Hauer are voted off the shown on Sunday evening
'The wonderful thing about Strictly, it's democratic, the public have a say, the professionals have a say and everybody looks out for everybody else and I've loved every minute.'
His dance partner replied: 'You've given everything and I thank you for that, because every day you've given 100% - I love you.'
The pair had been criticised for performing a 'stompy' dance this weekend and had the lowest score of all the contestants, with just 20 points. Myers, wearing a kilt, was compared to a "grizzly bear" by judge Craig Revel Horwood.
The top score of the week went to former Casualty actor Patrick Robinson, who was awarded a total of 37 points - including the only perfect 10 of the week - for his 'pure Hollywood' American smooth to Harry Connick Jr's It Had To Be You.
Show favourite Natalie Gumede did not compete in Saturday night's show after fainting during rehearsals and is due to undergo medical tests to decide if she will be well enough to perform next weekend.
Contestants will take to the dance floor in Blackpool next weekend.
Not enough: The dance partnership failed to impress the judges, with Craig Revel Horwood unfavorably comparing Dave to a 'grizzly bear'
Following his exit, Myers said: 'I loved it. It's been a spectacular privilege. It's the biggest show on British television and I managed to last 'til half-way, which for someone with my limited achievement and age was quite an achievement. I gave it as much enthusiasm and energy as I could.'
He said he had initially hoped to get to the last three or four weeks in the contest, and that he had been 'pipped at the post' ahead of the Blackpool show.
Despite hoping to travel to the ballroom to watch his new friends perform there, he said his wife insisted that 'enough's enough' and that he should spend time with his family instead, following his arduous training regime.
Despite hoping to travel to the ballroom to watch his new friends perform there, he said his wife insisted that 'enough's enough' and that he should spend time with his family instead, following his arduous training regime.
'It's like being part of an exclusive family,' said Myers. 'I was going to say a club, but it is more like a family. I was a little bit cynical about that before, but it really is.'
You've been tangoed: Hair Biker Dave pulls out all the stops with dance partner Karen Hauer, but ultimately it wasn't enough to save him on Sunday evening
He described rugby star Ben Cohen as his 'hero' and said he looked 'fantastic' in last night's sailor suit - but said he could not decide who he wants to win this year's title.
Despite being seen by many as the entertainer of the show, Myers said: 'I think the term 'joke candidate' is offensive. There's nothing funny about putting 30 or 40 hours of training in a week - which is fantastic, full of joy and a pleasure - and then I had the balls to stand there every Saturday night and try to do the best I could.'
He said while he would leave the spray tan to fade, he hoped to continue dancing in some form, adding that it has been a 'great, great way' to keep fit.
Fellow former contestant, businesswoman Deborah Meaden, has been giving him advice about 'the process of re-entry' into normal life after leaving Strictly he said - but he is already looking forward to the Strictly Christmas show, which he said would be a 'lovely reunion'.
Hopeful: But Dave Myers ultimately lost out to 'Blofeld' Mark Benton in the dance-off on Sunday evening
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