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Barnes sambas off Strictly

26/11/2007

Former England footballer John Barnes has become the latest celebrity contestant to be voted off BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing.

The ex-Liverpool player became the eighth person to be kicked off the show last night after an underwhelming performance in the dance-off.

Barnes and partner Nicole Cutler were matched against model and actress Kelly Brook and her dance partner Brendan Cole, with both pairs dancing the samba.

However the Five pundit was selected to leave the show after his fifth appearance in a dance-off, following a unanimous decision from the judging panel.

Bruno Tonioli described Barnes' samba as "a murmur".

"It was casual, it didn't have the impact, the fun," he added.

"It gets harder every week but I have to go for the best dancer who will give more in the future and that's Kelly and Brendan."

Barnes said afterwards he had had a "fantastic time". He added: "It's all thanks to Nicole because she's been so patient with me," he added.

Nicole was equally effusive in her praise, saying: "He's been absolutely amazing to work with - such a gentleman and so humble. What a lovely man."

Brook, along with singer Alesha Dixon, Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones, Scottish rugby player Kenny Logan, actress Letitia Dean and actor Matt Di Angelo will perform both ballroom and Latin routines on next Saturday's show.