Jonnie Peacock bows out of Strictly 2017 in Blackpool

It's the week no one wants to go home, but unfortunately we do have to bid one couple farewell in our Blackpool Special. That fate befell Jonnie Peacock and his partner Oti Mabuse this weekend, leaving Strictly 2017 after nine weeks in the competition.

On Saturday night the couple performed a futuristic Tango to the sound of the Eurythmics, which saw them score a total of 26 and landed them in penultimate position on the leaderboard. Once the public vote was counted, they saw themselves placed in the Dance Off for the second week running, going up against Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice.

After both couples had danced again, the Judges voted unanimously in Debbie and Giovanni's favour, sending Jonnie and Oti home. When placing her vote, Judge Darcey Bussell said: “It’s very difficult because both couples made such improvements tonight, but the couple I would like to save just on giving a technically more competent performance is Debbie and Giovanni.” 

The couple lost to a majority vote even before Head Judge Shirley Ballas had made her decision, who later said she would've voted the same way as her fellow Judges.

When speaking to Tess about his elimination, Paralmypian Jonnie said: "I think it’s been an absolute honour to be the first disabled person [on Strictly] and I want to thank each and every one of you for judging me as an equal. That’s what I want. You’ve been critical with me and I want that criticism; and I think that’s fantastic and hope it paves the way for more people to come through."

He went on to praise his Pro partner Oti, saying: "I need to say an absolutely gigantic thank you to this woman for pushing me because she knows what I’m capable of. Her choreography has been has been outstanding, and for putting up with me, pinching me, biting me - thank you so much.”

While they may have reached the end of their Strictly journey, you can still catch the fabulous duo on It Takes Two tomorrow on BBC Two at 6.30pm.