Chris Ramsey survives his salsa dip

Comedian gets to dance another day on Strictly

Chris Ramsey has again avoided being booted off Strictly Come Dancing, despite coming second from bottom on judges' scores.

BBC One viewers kept the comedian in the show for yet another week, with Michelle Visage eventually being sent packing instead.

Ramsey and professional partner Karen Hauer scored 33 points for their salsa to Uptown Funk at last night's show in Blackpool, one more than Visage’s Vogue routine.

Awarding nine points, head judge Shirley Ballas told Ramsey: ‘Nine weeks ago, when you first started you had never danced in front of an audience, you were shy, you just didn't want to get to out there. Now look at you, you’ve opened this show in Blackpool today!

‘You brought your groove, you were just all and everything we expected to start the show, congratulations.’

Also giving an impressive nine, Bruno Tonioli added: ‘Infectious fun, you really have started happy hour across the nation.

‘It was a salsa spiced up with hip-hop, you had a section at the end, you really looked like a Pop Idol.’

Craig Revel Horwood – as is his role – was a little harder to impress. Giving seven points he said: ‘Tonight I thought it lacked flow and speed. The timing, however, wasn’t bad and you did fit in with the rest of the group which is no means feat."

Motsi Mabuse concluded with an eight, ruling: ‘The confidence you have gained in your performance is absolutely amazing. That was slick, fun, energetic.’