Johnny Ball first to leave Strictly

Johnny Ball has suffered the dubious honour of becoming the first to depart the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor this year.

After a public telephone vote, the former TV presenter, with his professional partner Iveta Lukosiute, was forced into a dance-off with Richard Arnold and his partner Erin Boag, which he lost.

The judges' scores from Saturday night's show was combined with their scores from last week, and then these overall scores were amalgamated with the results of the viewers' votes to decide the lowest scoring two couples facing the dance-off.

Both couples then performed their routines again - Richard and Erin did their cha cha to Love Shack by The B52s, while Johnny and Iveta performed their foxtrot to Everything by Michael Buble in a bid to impress the judges and remain in the competition.

Three of the four judges supported Richard, meaning Johnny departed the show.

One of the judges, Bruno Tonioli said the two couples' dances were even worse the second time around.

He said: "For both couples it wasn't as good the second time round. Again, for content alone, for that reason I would go for Richard and Erin."

Craig Revel Horwood, said: "I would like to save, based on content alone, Richard and Erin."

Darcey Bussell also supported the duo, saying: "For me, it is about the dance content between the two dances, and who gave me the most confidence in them (as a couple), and for me that is Richard and Erin."

Reflecting back on the results of the show, Johnny said: "I think for my age I did quite, quite well. I'm so disappointed I'm leaving, I really, really am."