STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were left gobsmacked as the third celebrity was axed from the ballroom.
The remaining 13 stars performed this week – but two had to fight for their place in a tense dance off.
EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw were left in the bottom two.
Following their dance off, it was Chris, 39, who bowed out from the BBC show.
However, it was far from a straightforward decision with the judges themselves split.
Although Shirley and Anton opted to save Chris, Motsi and Craig went for Balvinder.
The final outcome came down to Craig Revel Horwood having the casting vote this week.
Meanwhile, it marked the second time that Balvinder, 46, found herself in the bottom two.
She had emerged victorious against Lorraine star and entertainment reporter Ross King, 63, last week.
Writing on X, viewers reacted to the soap favourite having to face the dance off again.
One wrote: “So sad for Balvinder, I don’t understand why she isn’t getting the support.”
Another commented: “I can’t believe Balvinder was in the dance off again, why?
“I voted for her, but she clearly doesn’t have the public support, which is a great shame. It was a good paso.
“I just don’t understand it. As for Chris, it is a no contest against Balvinder.”
While a third said: “The right choice sadly, weird that balvinder doesn’t seem to be getting a lot of votes.”
Passionate viewers had hit out at the judges for “mocking” one celebrity and issuing them with an “outrageously” low score.
Drag Race UK star La Voix and pro partner Aljaž Škorjanec performed a
Cha-cha-cha to Pat Benatar’s Hit Me With Your Best Shot – but the panel were left largely unimpressed.
The pair received a combined score of 14, which included Shirley Ballas scoring them just 2.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
