UGO Monye got the boot tonight as fans feared they had seen the last of Oti Mabuse on the Strictly dance floor.
BBC bosses had convinced the stunning South African to sign on for one last series after having her head-turned by other lucrative offers.
But Oti and former England rugby union forward were sent packing by Oti’s big sister Motsi.
Motsi and the rest of the judging panel — Craig Revel Horwood, Anton du Beke, and Shirley Ballas — all decided Ugo, 38, and the 31-year-old were no match for TV host Rhys Stephenson, 27, and Nancy Xu, 30.
Their elimination came a week earlier than many predicted because the favourite to go, Judi Love, 41, is isolating due to a positive Covid test, meaning she did not dance on Saturday night.
Oti had been focusing on becoming the first dancer to bag a hat-trick of wins — after triumphing with Bill Bailey and Kelvin Fletcher.
A source said: “It remains to be seen if this was Oti’s final appearance. Everyone hopes not — but she said before the series she thought it might be her last hurrah.
“She’s sought-after in TV, so if she hangs up her sequins, she won’t be short of work.”
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Ugo and Oti had performed a sultry rumba on Saturday’s show, but found themselves bottom of the leaderboard with 20 points.
When asked by Tess Daly about their time on the show, Ugo said in tonight’s Strictly Results Show: “I’ve loved it. It’s an absolute privilege to be on this show and all I’ve wanted to do every week is just get a little bit better and I’ve done that.
“There’s lots of people that I would love to say thank you to. Oti, firstly, just for putting up with me. She said she wanted a challenge and she got one! To everyone else that’s in the competition, it’s truly incredible and I wish you all the very best of luck.
“To the judges – Craig – I think it’s really important to say that if you’re willing to accept the positive comments, you have to accept the criticism as well so thank you for all of your comments.”
Oti was then asked if she had any words for her partner and said: “I stand here in this very moment feeling very, very grateful. I am so grateful to be partnered with you.
“Thank you for having me as a teacher, as a trainer. Seeing you through your injury, I appreciate every single moment that you’ve given to me. I am grateful for the show.
“To say I work on the best show in the whole country, with the best celebrities is a privilege and I am very grateful to [Ugo], thank you, thank you, thank you.”
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Strictly continues on Saturday October 30 on BBC One.