Krishnan Guru-Murthy is the seventh celebrity to leave Strictly 2023

Krishnan Guru-Murthy became the seventh celebrity to depart Strictly 2023 this weekend. He faced Angela Rippon in the dance-off.

When the viewer votes and judges’ scores were combined, the pair ended up in the bottom two, forcing them to perform once more for the judges. Krishnan and his dance partner Lauren Oakley performed their Samba to Bamboléo by Gipsy Kings. Then, Angela and her dance partner Kai Widdrington performed their Paso Doble to Hung Up by Madonna.

Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke all chose to save Angela and Kai. However, Head judge Shirley Ballas said she would have saved Krishnan and Lauren.

Judges comments:

Craig Revel Horwood: “Well Krishnan you really upped your game in that dance off, it was magnificent. Angela you nearly lost your supporting leg darling in the kick but you saved it, miraculously. But the couple that I would like to save and go through to Blackpool is Angela and Kai.”

Motsi Mabuse: “To be honest I’ve never been so undecided in my decision, I’ve been going back and forth, back and forth, in the end I’ve decided for fundamentals and technical level so I will be saving Angela and Kai.”

Anton Du Beke: “Well also I thought both couples danced very well – it was a super dance off, if there is such a thing. But just for the cleaner technique really, and the more recognisable fundamentals, I’m going to save Angela and Kai.”

Shirley Ballas: “Well I picked the person that I felt was more grounded on their feet without any technical errors and I would have saved Krishnan & Lauren.”

When asked by [host] Tess Daly about his time on the show, Krishnan said:

“This has been the most incredible experience. I am incredibly grateful to the entire production team, judges, my incredible Strictly family up there. It’s right I am going out this week and I have got to get back to life. The thing that has made Strictly really special is Lauren. She is most incredible teacher, partner, friend. She is the real Strictly star and I am so delighted I am the first partnership you have had. She is going to go a long way and I am very proud of her.”

Lauren added: “I couldn’t have asked for a better first dance partner, it has been an absolute dream. This guy is what Strictly is about from not having danced a step 8 weeks ago and you just danced that Samba! I had an absolute ball every single week.”

Tonight’s results show opened with a beautiful Remembrance Sunday routine from the professional dancers, and Andrea and Virginia Bocelli peformed their rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ by Leonard Cohen.

The remaining seven couples will take to the dancefloor next week when the Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool Special returns to the Tower Ballroom on Saturday 18th November at 6.40pm, with the results show on Sunday 19th November at 7.20pm on BBC One.