Peter Shilton fails to survive Strictly Come Dancing

It's not cricket: Peter Shilton has had the Strictly chop
11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton was unable to save himself from the boot as he became the third contestant to be kicked off Strictly Come Dancing.

A hapless performance in Saturday night's show put paid to the celebrated stopper's dreams of lifting the BBC1 dance show crown.

His Charleston with partner Erin Boag rubbed the judges up the wrong way, resulting in the lowest score - a paltry 17 out of 40.

The judges' scores left Shilton and Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams at the bottom of the leaderboard.

But the combination of the judges' scores and viewer votes meant it was Shilton and Boag who were the ones to say goodbye to the show last night.

The judges were quick to put the boot in. Bruno Tonioli blasted: "Oh Peter, what can I say, you looked like a penguin stuck in the mud! It couldn't quite get going.

"It's true you've never done it before and it's tough because it requires the timing to be spot on, it has to have energy and it didn't really gel."

Craig Revel Horwood went for the jugular: "I'm glad you had a good time, because I couldn't wait for it to finish.

"The white gloves were a big mistake, it just magnified everything that was wrong with it."

And even the normally placid Alesha Dixon got the knives out: "It's like your body doesn't have an understanding of what the Charleston is all about and it's such a shame really because I think last week was really positive and I feel you've gone a step backwards.

"It's like your body can't compute the dance."

Shilton gloved off the abuse. He said: "I've had a fantastic time, but I'm disappointed for Erin as I didn't dance as good as I could have.

"I'm going to miss the spirit amongst the competitors - it's been great. I won't miss the judges, obviously! I've been taught by the best in the business."

Shilton's elimination came after the unexpected sight of a flying Ann Widdecombe brought down the house on Saturday's show.

The former Tory MP for Maidstone and The Weald became "starship Widdecombe" as she was hoisted in on a flying trapeze for a dramatic entrance to the BBC dance show.

She made for an incongruous sight as she descended to the ground, flapping energetically, in what appeared to be an impression of a bird.

But, despite the erratic footwork and occasionally alarming facial expressions, she soon had the audience eating out of her hand as she stomped round the dancefloor with tango partner Anton du Beke.

A defiant Widdecombe declared post dance: "You do realise the Ark Royal is being de-commissioned, I thought I would give you the flying fortress."

Len Goodman reflected: "I thought seeing Ann Widdecombe in a truss coming down from the sky was worth 50% of the TV licence."

Tonioli gushed: "Truly out of this world. Was it a bird? Was it a plane? No, it was starship Widdecombe."

But it was former Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker and dance partner Aliona Vilani who put in the week's star performance, with their Charleston earning a standing ovation.

Baker, now a presenter on BBC's Countryfile, kicked off the routine in fine style by pedalling on to the stage on a unicycle.

The judges placed them in joint pole position for the evening with a score of 35 out of 40.

Bookies favourite Scott Maslen lay in joint first place with Baker and Vilani.

The EastEnder put in another stirling performance, earning rapturous applause from the audience for his tango with partner Natalie Lowe.

Hot on their heels was comic turned psychologist Pamela Stephenson with a passionate tango with partner James Jordan.

Next week the contestants will perform either the Viennese Waltz or an Argentine Tango.

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