JUDGE Rinder and his dance partner Oksana Platero were the eleventh couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing tonight.
The popular duo were up against Ore Oduba and his dance partner Joanne Clifton in the dreaded dance-off after failing to secure enough votes from the public and points from the judges.
The dancers had to perform their Musical Week routines again, with Rinder and Oksana performing a Samba to Jersey Boys' Oh! What a Night! while Ore and Joanne danced their Foxtrot to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Pure Imagination.
However, Rinder failed to impress the four judges with his dance recital and they all voted to save Ore and Joanne.
Craig Revel Horwood said on his decision: "I would like to save the couple that had the better technique and that couple is Ore and Joanne."
Darcey Bussell added: "I just have to say you both did wonderful performances tonight and it was such a pleasure to watch you both, I know how much hard work goes into it.
"But the couple I would like to save just on their artistry and technique is Ore and Joanne."
While Bruno Tonioli said: "Well first I want to say thank you both for the entertainment, I had a great time but I have to say that the couple that gave me the better quality overall and for that reason I save Ore and Joanne."
And Head Judge Len Goodman added: "I agree totally, it would have been Ore and Joanne."
Later on, talking about his Strictly journey so far, Rinder said: "I honestly don’t know what to say, every single person involved in this programme has so much love for it and that permeates through the screen.
"It’s a joy to be here, every single person, there’s too many people to thank but I even want to thank the judges.
"I know how difficult it is sometimes to be a judge and you do it with authenticity and enthusiasm and thank you all for your comments.
"And my last thank you and my most important one, this truly extraordinary person, this teacher who has shown me from somebody who could barely walk to music with no dance experience at all to find a passion and a love for dance and that’s the best kind of teaching.
"You are never too old to try something new and everyone should try dancing, thank you so much."
While Oksana added: "This is my first season on Strictly and I had an unforgettable time and I want to say thank you to everyone involved with the show and I am especially grateful for making this partnership happen."
Viewers were left "sad" that Judge Rinder had exited the competition, while other show watchers didn't believe Ore deserved to be in the dance-off and thought it was "unfair".
One person said: "Unfair that Ore is in the dance off. He's the dancer who's made the most progress and he's brilliant #Strictly."
A second: "Very sad to see @JudgeRinderTV go. He was fabulous! #Strictly."
A third: "Oh Ore, he doesn't deserve to be in the dance off :( #Strictly."
While a fourth added: "So sad that the amazing Judge Rinder has been voted off tonight. #strictly."
The couples remaining for the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final are Ore and Joanne, Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard, Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse and Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton.
Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday at 6.50pm on BBC One.