Second couple sent home from Strictly after low leaderboard finish

Melanie Walters has become the second celebrity eliminated from this season of Strictly Come Dancing.

The Gavin and Stacey actress, 64, had been paired with professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec, 36.

On Saturday night’s episode, Walters and Skorjanec had performed a Charleston to Ooh Ahh… Just A Little Bit by Gina G, receiving a score of 17 from the judges.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood said he “didn’t love” their dance while Motsi Mabuse encouraged her to “keep going”.

Melanie Walters has become the second celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing (Guy Levy/BBC)

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After finishing in the bottom two on the first two weeks of the competition, the judges sent the pair home.

Speaking to host Emma Willis, Walters said: “To be honest, no truth of a lie, I thought I was going to be out last week.”

Her professional partner told the actress she was the “ultimate professional”.

“You showed me what hard work really is and what it means,” he said.

Following the show, she posted on Instagram: “So sorry to be leaving the show. Huge thanks for all your support.  All the luck and love to my fellow remaining contestants, and the biggest thanks of all to the beautiful soul and amazing teacher, @aljazskorjanec. Love you! It’s been a blast.”

On Sunday night’s results episode, they were sent into the dance-off against former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and his partner Alexis Warr – who had received a score of 15 for their quickstep to I’m A Believer by The Monkees.

After both couples performed their routines again, the judges delivered their verdicts on who they wanted to save.

While Mabuse wanted to save Walters, fellow judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Revel Horwood all chose to save Wright-Phillips and Warr.

The eliminated couple will appear on It Takes Two on Monday.

Sunday night’s episode also saw Ballas and Du Beke take to the floor as part of a special group performance, with two teams of professional dancers going head-to-head for glory in a ballroom vs Latin showdown.

There was also a performance from musician Jalen Ngonda of his song Burning Temptation, accompanied by professional dancers Neil Jones and Lethabo Monametsi.

Walters is best known for playing Gwen West in the BBC comedy – which she appeared in from its launch in 2007 and then reprised her role for the 2024 Christmas special.

Her television work also includes roles in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff And Chip, and Doc Martin, while her film credits include Submarine, Resistance, High Tide and Save The Cinema.

Chris Appleton was the first star sent home last week (Guy Levy/ BBC)

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On stage, she has appeared in productions such as The Importance Of Being Earnest, Blood Brothers, Twelfth Night, Educating Rita and What’s New Pussycat?.

During the first week of the contest, the Welsh actress received a score of 15 for her cha cha cha, also being given the same score the following week while performing a waltz to Edelweiss from The Sound of Music during Movie Week.

The remaining 13 couples will take to the dancefloor next week for icons week.

Strictly Come Dancing returns at 6.15pm Saturday on BBC One.