Schmeichel out of Strictly
Sunday, 19 Nov 2006 12:18
Bruce Forsyth presents the Strictly Come Dancing show
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Peter Schmeichel's Strictly Come Dancing career came to an end last night after viewers voted the bulky former footballer out of the competition.
The 42-year-old ex-Manchester United goalkeeper, whose battle to control his imposing form during the series so far had impressed all who have seen him dance, continued his impressive form in last night's show.
Judge Bruno Tonioli described his performance as "the return of the flying Dutchman", while Craig Revel Horwood told him that while "occasionally you were pigeon-toed… once you were in hold I thought it was fabulous".
Sadly for Schmeichel, the viewers thought otherwise, sending him and dance partner Erin Boag packing in a tense final two, with a relieved Emma Bunton being saved at the last gasp.
His exit means there are now just six dancing partners left in the competition.
Cricketer Mark Ramprakash will be the most nervous, having scored just one point above Schmeichel's 26 in the judges' rankings.
Leading frontrunners continue to be the two high-scorers in yesterday's dances. Former Eastenders star Louisa Lytton and her partner Vincent Simone notched up 36 out of 40, while England rugby international Matt Dawson and his partner Lilia Kopylova did one better, winning 37 points.