Carol Kirkwood left ‘gutted’ as tearful BBC star bids farewell in ‘shock Strictly exit’ | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV

Earlier in the show, Zoe branded Richie’s elimination from the show a “shock exit” after the broadcaster and his partner Giovanni Pernice failed to beat Fleur East and her partner Vito Coppola in the dance off. 

“Totally undeserved, we all said,” Zoe told Richie as he entered the studio. “It’s like when Aston Merrygold went out – there’s always a shock exit on Strictly!” 

Speaking about how he felt following last night’s dance off, Richie admitted: “Well obviously, I’m a bit gutted, but I’m so proud that I got to go on Strictly Come Dancing, that I got to live a dream that I’ve always wanted to do.” 

Richie was choked up as he listened back to his highlight reel, with Zoe saying: “You have been sat here in tears just listening to that.