Strictly Come Dancing fans were left shocked at Richie Anderson’s exit this week, following his Samba with Giovanni Pernice.

The radio star performed a fun routine to Hakuna Matata from The Lion King, but was sent home after a tense dance-off, when the judges chose to save Fleur East and her partner Vito Coppola.

It’s clearly been an emotional couple of days for Richie and, watching back his best moments and shock exit, he was brought to tears when appearing on spin-off show It Takes Two.

‘I’m just so proud,’ he said, before apologising and being overcome with emotion.

Asked by host Rylan Clark how he was feeling on Saturday after an epic performance last week, Richie admitted: ‘Going into the studio on a Saturday night, that it could be the last time.

‘Every dance I have done, it might not have been technically perfect, but I have gone out there and given it some welly, and given it 110%! And all you can do Rylan, is hope it’s enough, and as you can see from Saturday night and Sunday night, you can never be too sure. But I have just had the most amazing time.’

Richie and Giovanni left the show this week (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

Giovanni, who was previously forced to deny there was a feud between the pair of them, went on to describe it as a ‘fun’ performance.

BBC presenter Richie and Giovanni became the second pair booted out of the BBC One competition after landing in the bottom two alongside singer Fleur.

After both couples performed for the panel once again, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke delivered their verdict on who they wanted to keep.

With three votes to Fleur and Vito, it meant they had won the majority vote and would be staying in to perform next week.

Reflecting on his departure, Richie told host Tess Daly: ‘As a Strictly fan I always thought it was a magical thing to be a part of, and being here it really is and it’s not just the people that you see on camera, the judges, and you and (co-host Claudia Winkleman) Claud and the amazing people that I’ve got to meet on this show.

‘The people behind the scenes in hair, make-up, costume, Tasha our runner, Stef, Jas, everybody. I also want to thank this guy [Giovanni] as well, he’s been so amazing, and I feel so lucky that I’ve got to dance with you every day.

‘Not only are you a fantastic dancer but you are also a fantastic guy on top of that. I want to thank all my family and friends and my other half Dean, who is in the audience, I love you so much.’

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.30pm on BBC One. It Takes Two airs weekdays at 6:30pm on BBC Two.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Who has left Strictly 2022? Full list of eliminated contestants so far

MORE : Fleur East was ‘very nervous’ for shock Strictly dance off after ending up in bottom two

Fans were stunned after Richie was sent home.