Tameka Empson is the second celebrity to leave Strictly 2016

Goodbyes are always sad on Strictly, but when you're waving off a contestant who's been the life and soul of the party, it's that little bit sadder. Unfortunately, that was the case tonight when Eastenders star and comedian Tameka Empson and her partner Gorka Marquez departed the dancefloor.

They found themselves in the bottom two along with Laura Whitmore and Giovanni Pernice following the public vote, a result that left the Judges confused, and it's fair to say, pretty unhappy.

"This is, I have to say, a little bit of a nightmare," said Craig. "I don’t feel like I have been in this position before. To be honest, I can normally make a very clear decision but both couples were extraordinary."

Tameka and Gorka had scored 28 for their Beverly Hills Cop-themed Tango, while Laura and Giovanni's Moulin Rouge-themed Salsa earned them 27, so both couples were heading into the Dance-Off with respectable scores under their belts.

Darcey said both had improved in their Dance-Off, while both Len and Bruno said that neither couple should have been in the Dance-Off in the first place. But they had to make a decision, and they voted 3-1 in favour of Laura and Giovanni, with the sole vote to save Tameka and Gorka coming from Darcey.

Tameka said, "I have enjoyed my time immensely, I really have. The costume, the hair, everybody. It’s really lovely to be a part of it and I’m grateful so thank you."

Check out the remaining 13 celebs telling us just how much they love #TeamTamorka...

And Tameka and her partner had plenty of love to show one another as they made their exit, with Tameka saying: "Gorka is such a lovely person, I think he is a great asset to the show. And you have showed me so much passion, so much patience, motivation and I love you. I really do. I think you’re fantastic."

Gorka's response? "Thank you for being an amazing partner, for teaching me so many things in this new world for me. And thank you for being such an amazing person."

But as the eyes began to dampen and the grey clouds formed over the dancefloor, Tameka injected some laughter into proceedings by lifting her skirt and parading her knee support. A fitting exit from a hilarious, hard-working and truly memorable contestant!

The pair will be joining Zoe on It Takes Two tomorrow at 6:30pm on BBC Two, while the remaining 13 couples will be back next Saturday at 6:30pm on BBC One to dance once more.