The Strictly Come Dancing dream is over for Dan Lobb... as the public save 'plodding mule' Nancy Dell'Olio

By Holly Thomas

Last updated at 12:34 AM on 17th October 2011

Dan Lobb 's Strictly dream came to an end tonight as he and dance partner Katya Virshilas were voted off the show.

His dance partner Katya told him that she had enjoyed working together and 'thank you for the tennis lessons.'

Nancy Dell'Olio and partner Anton Du Beke, who were in the bottom two, were saved by the public vote.

The presenter danced his last to 'Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life'.

Voted out: Presenter Dan Lobb and his dance partner Katya Virshilas said goodbye to Strictly tonight

Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life: The pair danced their last to the Monty Python classic

Bottom two: Nancy Dell'Olio and Anton Du Beke were saved by the public vote- despite an unimpressive performance last night

Judge Len Goodman said that despite Dan's lacklusture performance the previous night he didn't think that Dan deserved to be where he was.

Dan Lobb disappointed the judges with his Viennese Waltz to Queen's Somebody to Love from We Will Rock You.

'You have an awkward nature about you,' Craig told the TV presenter.

Tense moment: Katya looked as though she knew what was coming when it was announced that their place was in jeopardy

Lucky miss: Though Craig described Nancy's dancing as that of a 'plodding mule' last night it appears the views had other opinions

'I would have liked to have seen a little bit of fluidity,' Alesha said. 'It's a bit stoppy-starty.'

'This song should carry you into another world, but you look like a casual acquaintance of Katya,' said Bruno.

They only scored 24, one of the lower results of the evening.

Craig however seemed less keen on Nancy, saying : She was slamming around the dance floor and not actually dancing.'

Moving: Susan Boyle performed the Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody, which appears on her new album

Emotional: The Britain's Got Talent star gave a gripping and melodic performance

Bruno was disappointed to see Nancy in the bottom two, saying that he felt 'excited' to see her on the dance floor, and felt she had the potential to improve even more.

Craig was in total disagreement, saying that she had danced like 'a plodding mule' for her Tango to Be Italian from Nine.

Footloose: The stars of the new remake of the classic dance film Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough performed on the show

Rock 'n' roll: The group gave their performance some old school attitude on the Strictly dance floor

Flying down the stairs: Julianne gave a riveting performance- with a very dramatic entrance

Alesha was more generous with her comments, telling Nancy: 'It was an improvement, great story telling, but you need to strengthen your body from head to toe.'

Footloose stars Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough performed on the show, giving a sultry rendition of what looked like a rather slower dance than those which appear in the new movie- which came out in America this weekend.

Phew! Despite their strong performance, Jason Donovan and Kristina Rihanoff looked relieved to be safe

Go team Save Ola! Robbie Savage looked delighted to be through to next week's show

And Susan Boyle sang her version of the Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody.

Her appearance was a coup for the show, and a canny decision by her record label boss Simon Cowell, who reportedly believed that SuBo's material would be better received by a more mature Strictly audience than those watching X Factor.

Relief: Harry Judd and his partner Aliona will dance again next week

Saved: Alex Jones embraced her partner James when she heard that she was safe for another week

A BBC source revealed earlier this month: 'It was a decision that was happily made by her management with Simon’s full knowledge.'

'Susan is looking forward to performing the song on a show as big as Strictly. It is far more suited to her style and that will reflect in sales following the performance.'

Sure bet: Holly Valance was a shoe-in after her steamy performance of the tango last night

'X Factor this year is young, sexy and raucous. The BBC see it as a really amazing signing for the show and can’t wait to have her on.'

The behind the scenes Strictly drama intensified yesterday when star Artem Chigvintsev was apparently reduced to tears after an emotional argument with his jealous 'insecure' girlfriend Kara Tointon.

Dancing again: Rory Bremner's quick-step was enough to see him through to next week

The Russian dancer had a long phone call with the former EastEnders star on Friday and he struggled to keep his emotions in check during the rehearsals with sultry dance partner Holly Valance.

And the situation was undoubtedly made worse by Artem and Holly's sexy tango on last night's show.

A Strictly insider told the Sunday Mirror: 'Artem was in a real state at the studio because he is finding it difficult to deal with Kara's jealousy over him and Holly.'

Awkward: Dan Lobb was told he looked more like 'casual acquaintances with his partner Katya than lovers

Awkward: Dan was told last night that he looked more like 'casual acquaintances with his partner Katya than lovers

Disappointing: The judges only awarded the TV presenter 24 for his Viennese Waltz to Queen's Somebody to Love from We Will Rock You

'Artem has told people Kara has been yelling at him. No one knows why she is so insecure as she is so beautiful herself.'

Kara and Artem met on the show last series and began dating after their on-screen chemistry became apparent to viewers but it has been noted that Holly also has a good connection with the dancer.