Bruno Tonioli

Bruno Tonioli

TV presenter Rav Wilding tonight became the third celebrity to be voted off the seventh series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.

This weekend, all 14 of the remaining celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners took to the floor to dance either a quickstep or a paso doble.

Based on this performance, I really have to save Lynda and Darren

After Saturday night’s performance, the combination of the judges' scores and viewer votes left Rav Wilding and his professional partner Aliona Vilani in the bottom two and facing the dance off with actress and TV presenter Lynda Bellingham and her professional partner Darren Bennett.

Rav and Aliona then performed their quickstep and Lynda and Darren their paso doble for a second time for the judges' deciding vote.

Making their decision on who to save the judges said:

Craig Revel Horwood: "The couple for me that danced the best in the dance off, personally was Lynda and Darren"

Alesha Dixon: "The couple that I would like to keep, because I agree with Craig that they danced better are Lynda and Darren."

Bruno Tonioli: "Based on this performance, I really have to save Lynda and Darren."

With three votes in their favour Lynda and Darren were saved and through to next weeks show, making Head Judge Len Goodman’s vote academic, although he did vote to save Lynda saying: "Like the others I would have gone for Lynda and Darren, but unlucky Rav I did think you did a great job in this dance off."
On tonight’s show, Rav and Aliona were awarded 20 points for their quickstep by the judges. 

Asked after his elimination if he would do it all again a disappointed Rav said, "I’m not going to get the chance, but yes I’d loved too".

Tonight’s show also saw singer Andy Williams perform Moon River.  Viewers were also treated to an exciting salsa from special guest Richard Marcel and his dancers.

Next week, the remaining 13 couples in the competition will be performing either a foxtrot or a salsa.