BOOTED OUT
Strictly fans in shock as Zara McDermott is axed from show just days after quitting rehearsals over medical emergency
The exiting star reacted to her exit as she fought back tears and called the experience 'incredible'
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans are in shock as Zara McDermott became the fifth celebrity voted off the show tonight.
The Love Island legend, 26, and her partner Graziano Di Prima landed in the dance off opposite Adam Thomas and his pro Luba Mushtuk.
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Unfortunately for Zara, all four judges were unanimous in their decision to send her packing over former Emmerdale actor, Adam.
Speaking moments after learning she was being sent home, an emotional Zara told host Tess Daly: “I have had the time of my life. Just to be here is incredible. Thank you to the judges and my amazing partner obviously.
"My fellow contestants are just incredible. It has been the most amazing experience. I can’t believe it’s over but I am going to be here in spirit every week supporting them.”
Her partner Graziano then weighed in, paying tribute to the reality star turned documentary maker.
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He said: “She has been great for me 8:00am till 9:00pm. Never stopping asking just for a half an hour break. She is literally what Strictly is all about. A real novice, coming in, putting all the hard job."
Turning to Zara, he continued: "You have such a good soul. You are so humble and I say thank you that I found a friend like you. I have learnt so much from you. And your hard work within six weeks. You have never danced before. I am so proud of you. So proud of you honestly."
Zara and Graziano performed the Charleston during last night's live Halloween spectacular to the song Jeepers Creepers by Al Donahue.
They scored 25 points and Craig Revel Horwood said the routine was “a bit by-numbers" and claimed it "lacked energy and power”.
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Adam and Luba, meanwhile, scored 32 points for their American Smooth, which was set to the track Magic Moments by Perry Como.
After both pairings performed again in the dance-off tonight, the judges delivered their verdicts.
Craig said: “For me one couple did remarkably well and nailed that routine. That couple is Adam and Luba.”
Motsi Mabuse added: “Well I feel there was definitely a fighting spirit from both couples, I think both couples improved remarkably, they were both stunning, I will save Adam and Luba”.
Anton Du Beke agreed, saying: “Well it’s not much of a consolation now – but both couples danced very well and both couples put their best foot forward. But for me it was couple that was the best quality – and that couple is Adam and Luba.”
While those three votes were enough to send Adam and Luba through to next week, Head Judge Shirley Ballas also said she would have made the same call as the rest of the panel.
Shirley said: “I agreed I would have saved Adam and Luba.”
Zara's exit comes after she was forced to miss some of her rehearsals last week after her boyfriend Sam Thompson had a medical emergency.
She leaped to her boyfriend's side after he required medical attention for a kidney problem.
Sam, 31, revealed that Zara left her rehearsal session earlier on in the series to attend an appointment with him after he began to develop severe abdominal pain.
Speaking on his podcast, Staying Relevant, Sam praised his good pal and co-star Pete Wicks for helping him when he felt like he was at death's door.
TV star Sam continued: "You came to me when I thought I was dying and you literally were there for me.
"Despite knowing there was nothing wrong with you."
Sam then admitted that Zara skipped Strictly rehearsals to take him to the hospital after his pain became unbearable.
He went on: "Do you wanna know something worse? I made Zara leave her Strictly training early to come and see me at the doctors.
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"And it was just for the guy to go, 'Yeah, you're fine'."
Luckily Sam was given the all clear and was sent home after being checked.
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