Jason Donovan voted out of Strictly Come Dancing final despite topping leaderboard

By Andrea Magrath

Last updated at 10:57 PM on 17th December 2011

Jason Donovan was the first finalist to be eliminated from the Strictly Come Dancing final tonight.

Despite topping the leader board going in the results show, the Australian and his partner Kristina Rihanoff were voted off by the public.

'After my wife and children, this has been the best experience of my life,' the gracious star said after hearing the news.

Gone: Jason Donovan was the first contestant to be sent home during the Strictly Come Dancing results show tonight

Emotional: Donovan became tearful when thanking his partner Kristina Rihanoff

Donovan became emotional as he thanked partner Kristina, who he called a visionary.

An hour earlier, the actor and singer looked like he could have turned his fortunes around after muscling bookies favourite Harry Judd out of first place in the judges' scores.

But it wasn't to be.

Jason also thanks his wife and children, who he said had been with him through 'all the ups and downs in my life.'

Fond farewell: The Australian said he had thrown himself into the Strictly experience, which he named as one of the best of his life

Anybody's glitterball: After the first of tonight's shows Jason was in the lead, with Harry in second place and Chelsee in third

Anybody's glitterball: Jason's departure leaves Harry and Chelsee in the competition

Earlier in the show, Jason said: 'It has been such a ride. My life has had ups and downs and that's what has happened to me in Strictly. Because of the downs, you appreciate the highs so much more. I've thrown myself into it.'

After receiving the lowest judges' score - 37 - of the evening for his first performance, a tango to I Will Survive, he upped his game to get a perfect score for the show dance.

The judges heaped praise on Jason and Kristina after their second performance, with Bruno telling them: 'It was more than a show dance it was showbusiness extravaganza! You could open on Broadway tomorrow and break box office records!'

Camp: Jason Donovan and Kristina performed their popular tango to I Will Survive from week three

Camp: Earlier Jason and Kristina performed their popular tango to I Will Survive from week three

Last place: It wasn't quite enough, and the Australian ended up in third place after the first dances

'Ferocious and full-on darling,' said Craig. 'I would get that woman a restraining order, amazing!'

Jason's departure leaves Harry and Chelsee in the competition. Harry opened the show with a quickstep.

Before his dance, Harry said: 'I've been smiling all week. My Strictly experience has been one of the most important experiences of my life- I never thought I'd say that.

'Strictly has been refreshing and I've absolutely loved it. I'm very grateful.'

'It's like being a dad and watching your son play football for the first time,' said his bandmate Dougie. 'You think, "Oh, that's my boy!"'

Turnaround: Things were looking up for Jason after his show dance, which saw him and Kristina receive a perfect 40

Aliona said: 'I wasn't sure about Harry, he came into the studio pigeon-toed, and I thought "Aw, bless."'

After the energetic quickstep, Len said: 'You've come out all guns blazing. That was brilliant, well done.'

'You came, you danced and you conquered Blackpool,' said Bruno. 'It was delivered with flash and dance. Loved it.'

Craig added: 'I only had one problem last time, that ghastly lazy left foot of yours, but you seemed to have improved that, so I absolutely love it.'

Leading the way: Harry Judd was top of the leaderboard after the round of first dances

'I will survive? YOU have survived, 14 weeks of blood seat and tears,' said Len afterwards. 'You have 20 years on the other two and you have given everything with so much energy. 10

Bruno enthused: 'You excelled! Talk about a tango with split personalities. At one point you were like Wolverine and then you were like a disco diva from 1978.'

'Your bottom was sticking out a lot, but I have to say it's a fantastic number,' said Craig. 'It's through determination and good old fashioned hard work that you've got there.

The judges awarded 38 to the couple - perfect scores from Alesha and Len and nines each from Craig and Bruno, putting them behind Harry and Aliona after the first dance.

Perfect! The couple were awarded the first perfect score of the evening

Chelsee and Pasha Kovalev were the last of the three finalist couples to perform their first dance.

'Dancing is me now,' The Waterloo Road star said. 'When I first started people didn't know who I was. Strictly has brought out an elegant side of me. I'll leave the competition a different person, I've grown up a lot. Not in size! I've learned to be more confident. I'll treasure this forever.'

They performed their popular Shrek jive from week ten.

Len told them: 'I've judged in this room many times, and watching you, a girl who came here with no dancing experience, do that jive so well gives me a much pleasure as judging world champions. 10

'For me that was my favourite jive of the whole series,' said Alesha. 10

'That was a premium grade jive of eye-popping vibrancy,' shouted Bruno. 'You were great!'

She's a believer! Chelsee Healey dazzled with her Shrek jive from week ten, receiving a 39

Craig enthused: 'A complete and absolute bundle of joy to watch. It was about a thousand steps a minute. I loved it.' 9

'It's already the best night of my life,' said Chelsee afterwards.

They received an almost-perfect 39, with just Craig deducting one point from their score, placing Harry in first place after the first dances, followed by Chelsee, and Jason in third place.

For the show dance section, Harry and Aliona performed a sexy, Fifties-inspired jive to Great Balls of Fire.

'Rock God!' Harry performed a Fifties-style jive for their show dance, but received a lower score of 37 second time round

The boy band member's famous chest was out on full display for the second dance, in an unbuttoned red shirt.

He jumped behind the drum set to show off his day-job skills at the end of the number.

'You have talent written all over you,' said Len. 'You gave it all your all. Everyone was so impressed by that.'

Alesha: I loved the concept, it really suited you. The lifts were almost dangerous but they were fabulous.

Beyoncé eat your heart out: Chelsee dazzled with a shimmering frock for her second performance, but received a disappointing 36

'Its great guns harry!' said an over-excited Bruno. 'Rock God!'

They didn't do quite as well as their first dance, receiving 37, with only Alesha awarding a perfect ten.

Chelsee gave Beyoncé a run for her money in a tiny gold number for her show dance, to One Night Only.

Despite winning warm praise, the performance received the lowest score of the evening, just 36.