Strictly Come Dancing: EastEnders’ Jake Wood eliminated in semi-final

Jake Wood aka Max Branning EastEnders

EastEnders star Jake Wood has become the eleventh celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

Last night’s semi final saw the five remaining couples dance twice, performing one latin and one ballroom number. The judges’ overall scores were combined with the viewers’ votes to determine the lowest scoring two couples facing tonight’s dance off – which Jake and his partner Janette Manrara found themselves in alongside TV presenter Mark Wright and Karen Hauer.

In an attempt to secure their place in the competition, each couple performed a routine of their choice from Saturday with Jake and Janette doing the Cha Cha Cha to Boogie Shoes by KC and the Sunshine Band, and Mark and Karen performing a rumba to Eva Cassidy’s version of Fields of Gold.

Once both couples had danced for survival the judges delivered their verdicts with Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli choosing to save Jake and Janette. Craig Revel Horwood opted to save Mark and Karen, with head judge Len Goodman following suit in a casting vote.

“It’s a huge disappointment to go out in the semi-finals but for a 42-year-old dad of two, who’s never danced before, Janette has worked wonders. It’s been a real privilege to watch her work and she’s so passionate about what she does that it’s infectious. I’d like to thank all the people at home who voted – it’s just meant the world. And I’d like to thank my wife Alison and my two children Amber and Buster as well. Without their support I couldn’t have done this.” – Jake

Tonight’s results show also featured a special performance by Paloma Faith.

Strictly Come Dancing‘s live final will air Saturday 20 December at 6.30pm and 8.50pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.