KATE Silverton is the latest celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing

The newsreader and dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec faced former cricketer Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse in the dance-off after their scores combined with the public vote put them in the bottom two.

Kate, 48, and Aljaz performed their American Smooth to Everlasting Love by Love Affair again, while Graeme, 39, and Oti repeated their theatre and jazz Couple's Choice routine to The Trolley Song from the film Meet Me In St Louis.

The judges unanimously chose to save Graeme, leaving Kate to waltz away from the dancefloor.

Saying her goodbyes, Kate told Aljaz: "As your student I couldn't be more grateful it's been a magical experience.

"We enjoyed our training days probably more than even the Saturdays sometimes. We've had fun and I've been learning new skills.

"Aljaz is one of life's more special people and we've become such good friends. It has been a journey without trying to sound like a cliche. It's been brilliant to be part of.

"I knew I'd enjoy it. I don't normally make decisions based on anything other than joy.

"I hoped it would be joyful and gleeful and it was."

The BBC news anchor said she hopes she keeps dancing now that her Strictly journey is over.

Aljaz, 28, said: "We took it week by week and it's been a beautiful journey for both of us. We've improved on a daily basis, not even weekly."

He added: "This has been the first time while I've been on it when, from about two to three weeks ago, we could not tell who would be in the bottom two or going home.

"It's been such a tight competition."

The pair had been given 30 points for their routine during Saturday's show - filmed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom - putting them second to last on the leaderboard.

Paralympian Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard, who had come at the bottom with just 25, avoided the dance off entirely, thanks to the public vote.

Fans took to Twitter to share their sadness at Kate's departure, with one writing: "Sad to see Kate go, she’s been great this series! #Strictly."

Another added: "I’m so sad to see Kate Silverton go. #Strictly" while a third agreed, writing: " Aw I’m actually gutted about Kate & Aljaz ( I love them so so much #Strictly."