Phil Daniels is first Strictly reject

Monday, 22nd September 2008

Ex-EastEnder Phil Daniels is the first celebrity to be voted off the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The actor and his professional partner - last year's runner-up Flavia Cacace - failed to impress judges with their waltz.

Then a poor result in the viewers' vote saw the duo have to perform in a nail-biting dance-off with actor Don Warrington and his partner Lilia Kopylova.

But the former Quadrophenia star and his partner once again failed to wow all the judges and head judge Len Goodman sealed their doom with a deciding vote.

Judge Arlene Phillips said: "You need to introduce your right foot to your left foot and they need to fall in love, because they never came together."

"Bring them together occasionally.

The flamboyant Bruno Tonioli agreed, saying: "It was a bit shaky and unsteady. You held your breath - you looked like you were going for a dive.

"But for a bit of rough you actually scrub up quite well."

Difficult to judge

Len Goodman, who had the casting vote, said: "They both did make some mistakes and it is very difficult to judge between a waltz that needs so much control and a cha cha cha which needs so much rhythm.

"But for me the performance I've just seen - the cleanest one - was Don and Lilia."

Daniels, meanwhile, was rather upbeat, adding: "It was a short ride. It's been fantastic, good fun."

And you thought you'd do a bit better didn't you Phil?

Photo: BBC

Previously... Rachel Stevens puts Strictly before wedding