Bennett 'gobsmacked' by Bellingham exit

Professional dancer Darren Bennett has revealed that he was "gobsmacked" when Lynda Bellingham was voted off Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday.

Bennett, who performed a foxtrot with the veteran actress, claimed that he was shocked when they lost out in the dance-off to Coronation Street star Craig Kelly and Flavia Cacace.

"As a professional you watch the dance-offs backstage or where ever you might be, but in all the history of dance-offs I don't think I've ever got one wrong," he told It Takes Two.

"I was absolutely gobsmacked. Lynda in the dance-off was fantastic, she didn't put her foot wrong with the steps, held her frame, maintained her posture and character of the dance."

He added: "I think it was the wrong decision, looking back and watching the dances again. I've asked other people in the profession who said the same and I'm just disappointed because I believe we had another couple of weeks in us."

Judges Alesha Dixon and Craig Revel Horwood voted to save Bellingham, but Bruno Tonioli and head judge Len Goodman chose to axe the 61-year-old.