Tufnell, Virshilas exit 'Strictly'

Published Nov 14 2009, 20:52 GMT  |  By Alex Fletcher

Phil Tufnell and Katya Virshilas have become the latest couple to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing.

The ex-cricketer scored 31 points for his American smooth, finishing fourth on the leaderboard. He was joined in the bottom two by former EastEnders star Ricky Groves, who danced a Viennese waltz with Erin Boag.

Laila Rouass and Anton Du Beke only scored 22 from the judges, but the public voted to save the Footballers' Wives actress, who performed with a leg injury.

Earlier in the show, Alesha Dixon praised Tufnell for getting his "swagger back", but Craig Revel Horwood claimed that the routine was not "showy enough".

After both couples performed again in the dance-off, the judging panel were split on who should be sent home. Horwood saved Groves, while Dixon and Tonioli voted for Tufnell. Head judge Len Goodman, who had the deciding vote, chose to save the soap star.

Ronnie Corbett and Claudia Winkleman co-hosted the show, due to Bruce Forsyth's absence with flu. He is expected to return next Saturday, when Shirley Bassey will be the celebrity guest performer.