Russell Grant finally bids Strictly goodbye as Holly Valance gets handed a lifeline

Off he shoots! Russell Grant finally bids Strictly goodbye as Holly Valance gets handed a lifeline

By Holly Thomas

Last updated at 10:00 PM on 20th November 2011


Russell Grant was finally given his marching orders as he and partner Flavia Cacace were voted off Strictly Come Dancing.

The pair were up against Holly Valance and Artem Chigvintstev in the bottom two.

Russel and Flavia were awarded a modest 24 last night, with Bruno's seven being the highest score from the judges- for the 'pure madness' of his cannonball entrance.

Time to say goodbye: Russell Grant and his partner Flavia Cacace were finally voted off Strictly tonight

Positive atitude: Russell said after the result was announced 'Every show I¿ve done has been a highlight, it¿s been fantastic'

Last dance: The judges and presenters gave Russell and Flavia a standing ovation as they took to the floor for the last time

Russell was totally positive about his Strictly experience, saying after the result was announced: 'Every show I’ve done has been a highlight, it’s been fantastic.'

'The public have been great, the audiences have been great. I’ve learnt from the judges, I’ve listened to the judges… but most of all I’ve had the most fantastic partner in Flavia Cacace.'

He later added: ‘Strictly has saved my life, absolutely. I owe this show so much and I’ve got my life back. I only wish this had happened to me 30 years ago, but there’s a time and a place for everything.’

Flavia added: 'I completely agree with everyone out there who absolutely loves you because you are a true inspiration. It has been an absolute pleasure and joy partnering you.'

Tough competition: The pair were up against popular couple Holly Valance and Artem Chigvintstev in the bottom two

Tense moment: The couples waited to hear their fate after the dramatic Wembley showdown

Russell was clearly more than satisfied with his time on Strictly, and stressed before the result was announced: 'I got to Wembley, that was always my goal, it was fantastic. It's just one of the best things that ever happened to me.'

'I thought I'd be gone by October, and here I'm back in Middlesex where I grew up, in Wembley.'

'It's taught me about friendship, love music, joy and happiness,' the 61-year-old added.

Relief: Holly Valance said before the result was announced that she was fully 'in the Strictly bubble' now, and would be heartbroken if she had to leave

A comforting hug: Holly and Artem were clearly thrilled to be safe for another week

Bruno said prior to Russell's departure: 'For total unashamed entertainment, Russell is right there at the top. But technically he is far below some of the others If he has to go I really will miss him.'

Anita Dobson was especially relieved not to be in the bottom two, having had a tense time when her place in the competition was in jeopardy last week.

She had feared the worst after her Samba to Queen's Don't Stop Me Now with partner Robin Windsor was labelled 'muddy' by Craig on last night's show.

Pleasant surprise: Anita Dobson had feared the worst after her Samba to Queen's Don't Stop Me Now with partner Robin Windsor was labelled 'muddy' by Craig on last night's show

Despite hitting the bottom of the leader board again, Russell Grant received a standing ovation for his thrilling routine last night, which kicked off with him shooting from a cannon on a glittering red sleigh.

He and his partner Flavia Cacace then launched into an energetic Jive to S Club Seven's Reach For The Stars.

Dressed in eye-catching yellow embellished with blue stars it was clear that Russell's lack of dancing ability hadn't affected his confidence as he threw himself about the stage- which was six times larger than their usual dance floor.

Iconic moment: Len Goodman said that Russell's cannonball entrance would go down in Strictly history

Alesha started the commentary with: 'Just when you think you've seen it all... definitely the Best entrance I've seen yet. I was secretly hoping you’d stay up there and do a little tour around the arena!'

'Jokes aside I’m so pleased you got to go to Wembley because for what you lacked in jive technique you certainly made up for in entertainment.'

And a thoroughly excited Bruno gushed: 'Russell the magnificent flying machine, soaring into an orbit of madness!'

Peek-a-boo! Bruno said that he had nearly 'bust a gut' during this part of Russel and Flavia's performance last night

Dancing to their own beat: Bruno said that Russell and Flavia Cacace's routine had nothing to do with the jive, but he loved it anyway

'I tell you the peek a boo thing at the end I thought I was going to bust a gut!It had nothing to do with jive but I loved it!'

Craig was brief, murmuring 'Dumbo springs to mind', before adding as the crowd's boos died down: 'revolutionary.'

Len was also utterly taken with the routine, enthusing: 'I don't care how many great dancers they have, and how many series there are, people will always remember this routine!'

Holly must have been relieved to be safe, having said before the results: 'I had a feeling,a niggling feeling. But you know what, we've worked so hard and it's been an amazing journey. If we ended on a night like tonight, well, it's been a magical night.'

Full of energy: Even Craig was lost for words, and murmured that the performance was 'revolutionary'

'I'm in the Strictly bubble now, and should that bubble burst I'll be heartbroken'

Alesha was supportive of the star, saying: 'I still believe Holly could go all the way, I think she's fantastic. She and Artem are such a strong couple, and they've had such a tough couple of weeks.'

Following a tense week practicing with both dancers, a relieved Holly took to the stage last night with her old partner to Amy Winehouse's Valerie.

The entertainment: James Morrison appeared to sing his new single Up featuring Jessie J

Fabulous foursome: Il Divo turned up to perform their new song Time To Say Goodbye

Bruno 'Holly Holly, at times you're thrilling and at times you're maddening! You're like a thoroughbred who hasn't been broken in yet, at times you're wonderful and at times you make me so angry!'

Craig said it was a 'good job' and fantastic routine, but remarked that Holly needed to find her centre.

Len agreed that Holly had lost control now and again, but complimented the good use of space.

Reunited: After they were parted by Artem's injury last week, Holly was back with her old partner for a fun routine to Amy Winehouse's Valerie last night

And Alesha also picked up on Holly's loss of control, but said that she had like the routine nevertheless.
The couple won a respectable score of 31, putting them comfortably in the middle of the leader board.
Further entertainment was provided this evening by James Morrison feat. Jessie J, singing his new song Up, and Il Divo singing Time To Say Goodbye.
Russel Grant has opened up about the health problems which plagued him up until his time on Strictly.
He said: ‘I’d had two near heart attacks, I was walking with a stick, I’d become diabetic, I had prostate problems. You think, this can’t go on. I got to my lowest point on January 5, 2009. I woke up after ten days of being ill over Christmas and New Year.'

Nearly there: Bruno described Holly as a 'thoroughbred who hasn't been broken in yet'

‘I was up to 27 stone after days of overeating – and I’m only 5ft 7in tall – and I thought, “What am I going to do with my life?” I thought, “I’m going to go back to where I’m happiest, music and drama”.’
After losing ten stone, he signed up for Strictly.
Grant has now been off his anti-depressant medication for two years. Since doing Strictly, he has lost another ten pounds, but has a knee injury and is due to see a surgeon today.
Saturday’s edition of Strictly, in which Grant and Miss Cacace finished in the bottom two alongside Australian soap star Holly Valance and her partner Artem Chigvintsev, beat its ITV rival The X Factor in the ratings for the second time this autumn.
Strictly had a peak of 12.5million viewers while X Factor peaked at 11.5million

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2063988/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2011-Russell-Grant-voted-off.html#ixzz1eIUpJkJr