Strictly Come Dancing: Ellie Simmonds is the sixth celebrity to depart the dance floor

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Ellie Simmonds is the sixth celebrity to depart the dance floor in Strictly Come Dancing 2022 after facing Molly Rainford in the dreaded danced-off. 

Both couples performed their routines again, with Ellie and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin performing their Charleston to Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate. 

Then Molly and her dance partner Carlos Gu performed their Foxtrot to You Make Me Happy by My Sun and My Stars in a bid to impress the judges and remain in the competition.

After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdict, with Craig Revel Horwood choosing to save Molly and Carlos.

All over: Ellie Simmonds (right) is the sixth celebrity to depart the dance floor in Strictly Come Dancing 2022 after facing Molly Rainford in the dreaded danced-off

He said: ‘Well the couple I’d like to save are a couple that I think danced better than they did on Saturday night, in this particular dance off and that couple is Molly and Carlos’ 

Motsi Mabuse agreed, adding: ‘First of all I thought that dance off was incredible. Both couples really, really just danced exceptionally well. I have decided to save Molly and Carlos.’

Confirming the result, Anton Du Beke said: ‘Well I think both couples can take credit from dancing an absolutely terrific dance off. 

‘But, the couple I’d like to save for making the performance even better than on Saturday night are Molly and Carlos.’ 

Thank you: The emotional star wiped away tears after crediting dance partner Nikita Kuzmin for helping 'change her life'

Thank you: The emotional star wiped away tears after crediting dance partner Nikita Kuzmin for helping ‘change her life’ 

Here we go: Both couples performed their routines again, with Ellie and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin performing their Charleston to Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate

Here we go: Both couples performed their routines again, with Ellie and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin performing their Charleston to Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate

With three votes to Molly and Carlos it meant they had won the majority vote and would be staying in the competition regardless, however Head Judge Shirley Ballas also said she would have saved Molly and Carlos.

She said: ‘Well it was one of the best dance offs I think I’ve ever seen, but again the performance was a little bit stronger in this dance off and I would have awarded it to Molly and Carlos.’

When asked by Tess about her time on the show, Ellie said: ‘I’ve literally had the time of my life. It’s been the most incredible experience – life changing really. 

‘I want to thank Nikita ever so much. I’m going to miss him – he’s changed my life and confidence. And all of you guys – the pros. Every single one of you who’ve been part of this Strictly. Behind closed doors, the costume designers, I’ve literally loved waking up every single day and dancing. I’m going to dance forever.’

Almost, but not quite: Ellie's dance-off performance wasn't quite enough to see her through to next week's show

Almost, but not quite: Ellie’s dance-off performance wasn’t quite enough to see her through to next week’s show 

Dance floor chemistry: It was a last hurrah from Ellie and Nikita during a memorable dance-off on Sunday evening's show

 Dance floor chemistry: It was a last hurrah from Ellie and Nikita during a memorable dance-off on Sunday evening’s show 

She added: ‘It’s incredible, this show is life changing. He’s [Nikita] changed my life. We’ve had the most amazing days. We’ve had not just dancing days – but days we’ve just spoken for hours. 

‘And the confidence you’ve given me – I seem confident but you know what I’m like, I worry about everything so so much and we’ve literally represented everything. We went out there any danced our life out every single night and I loved it so much.’

Asked if he had any words for his partner, an emotional Nikita said: ‘First of all make me speak first next time because I am crying! I am a bit disappointed as I wanted Ellie to have a bit more time on this TV show, I know how much it means to her. 

Tribute: 'It’s incredible, this show is life changing. He’s [Nikita] changed my life,' Ellie said of her dance partner after Molly was unanimously voted through

Tribute: ‘It’s incredible, this show is life changing. He’s [Nikita] changed my life,’ Ellie said of her dance partner after Molly was unanimously voted through

Farewell: Ellie was surrounded by her Strictly co-stars after the judges cast their unanimous vote on Sunday evening's show

Farewell: Ellie was surrounded by her Strictly co-stars after the judges cast their unanimous vote on Sunday evening’s show 

‘I’m really happy that this journey has been with you [Ellie] because she has taught me so so much, so much empathy, just so much, I’ve learnt so much in these seven weeks. 

‘I really wanted to go with you to Blackpool, I think we should go there for the rides? I love you Els, I just want to tell you every single person in this room loves you. That is just to say how much of a beautiful human you are. 

‘You spend time to go to each person inside this room, you care about everybody, you are just such a wonderful human and I am so glad I’ve had the chance to dance with you.’ 

Sunday’s results show opened with a magnificent commercial Bollywood inspired routine from the Strictly professionals and Welsh actor Luke Evans performed his single, Bridge Over Troubled Water taken from his album A Song For You.

The remaining nine couples will take to the dancefloor next when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 12th November at 6.55pm, with the results show on Sunday 13th November at 7:20pm on BBC One.