Warrington out of 'Strictly Come Dancing'

Actor Don Warrington was the fifth celebrity to be eliminated from 'Strictly Come Dancing' after judges said his performance was "a bit off".

Actor Don Warrington was the fifth celebrity to be eliminated from 'Strictly Come Dancing' last night after judges said his performance was "a bit off".

Warrington and his partner Lilia Kopylova, performing the American Smooth, were put in the bottom two alongside Heather Small and Brian Fortuna by viewer votes and judges' scores.

Both couples had to dance again and for the second week running Small and Fortuna were saved by the judges.

Judge Arlene Phillips said after Warrington's first dance: "I loved the start, you placed your arms well, you started to smile and I thought: 'Fabulous, you're relaxed'.

"Then suddenly it went cold, you started thinking about what you were doing; you wouldn't let the dance in. You started that way and then you finished another. Let the dance take over your body."

Meanwhile judge Bruno Tonioli said: "Well you were a bit off tonight. For an actor it surprises me because you should get what the dance is about. The shoulder was up a little bit, it was not very good technically but usually you get the performance out. You get the character, you should really know how to come out and play".

Last night Warrington and his partner received just 25 points out of a possible 40.

Three of the judges voted to save Small and Fortuna following the dance-off, leaving head judge Len Goodman to comment: "I disagreed. I would have voted for Don and Lilia. Heather did perform better, but I thought Don and Lilia gave a more polished and cleaner performance."

After his defeat Warrington said he would miss dancing with his partner: "I am sad, Lilia is wonderful. I'm more sad that I won't be able to dance with her any more."

Kopylova replied: "Don is great, I know how much he enjoyed this and he's tried so hard."

Next week the remaining celebrity couples will perform the Viennese Waltz and the Paso Doble to stay in the competition.