Victoria Pendleton leaves Strictly Come Dancing

Victoria Pendleton has become the seventh celebrity eliminated from BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The Olympic cyclist and professional partner Brendan Cole faced cricketer Michael Vaughan and partner Natalie Lowe in the dance-off in tonight’s results show.
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli all chose to save Vaughan from elimination.
Revel Horwood said: “Well this couple completely smashed it, and I thought they were fantastic – Michael and Natalie.”
Bussell agreed: “Yes – I am going to save Michael and Natalie.”
Tonioli added: “I am going to save the best performance and that came from Michael and Natalie.”

Reflecting on her time in the competition, Pendleton said: “It’s been so much fun; I have loved every second of it. It pushed me totally out of my comfort zone, which I think you really need to do in life. Brendan has been fantastic, the people behind the scenes here – the hair, make-up, I love the costumes. It’s been a fantastic experience.”
Cole added: “It’s been an emotional roller-coaster but I said from the start I was so excited to be paired with Victoria and I haven’t changed my mind – she has been a diamond to work with.
“What a girl – she is the pride of the nation, and I couldn’t be happier or prouder of [Victoria] for the way [she has] attacked it.”

Tonight’s results show also featured Britain’s Got Talent dance troupe Flawless and a performance from The Script.
Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday at 6.50pm on BBC One.