Strictly shock as show favourite is axed after claims of backstage feud in ‘closest dance-off yet’

STRICTLY Come Dancing has seen another celebrity voted off after what host Claudia Winkleman branded "the closest dance-off yet".

Saturday's live show ended with Adam Thomas and Angela Rippon struggling at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Adam, who viewers believed was locked in a secret feud with a Strictly co-star last week, was given his marching orders.

After his name was announced, the Waterloo Road actor, 35, told presenters Claudia and Tess Daly he'd had "seven incredible weeks."

The star, who is dad to Teddy, nine, and Elsie, five, added: "I wanted to teach my kids, you know, sometimes it's not about winning or losing. It's about doing your best."

Last night, Strictly reached the half way mark with Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola topping the leader board.

Meanwhile Adam and his Russian pro partner Luba Mushtuk, 33, found themselves in last place after scoring just 27 points for their rumba.

The actor had also found himself in the dance off the week before, where he remained in the show at the expense of Love Island star Zara McDermott, 26.

Tonight Adam, who has rheumatoid arthritis, made a number of errors in his final dance which saw the judges vote to unanimously save TV presenter Angela, 79.

It comes as he revealed his illness meant he had to miss out on hours of training.

He told The Sun last week: “I’m surprised I’ve lasted this long without getting ill.

“I had to miss work and a bit of training.”

He was also forced to pull out of Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two last month due to the debilitating illness.

Last week, viewers were distracted by Adam's antics away from the stage.

Some claimed Adam and Zara McDermott - who faced each other in the dance-off - might not be the best of pals behind the scenes.

One person posted on X: "Lol at Adam not clapping along for Zara while Luba does."

Another asked: "Not just me that saw Zara turn her back on Adam and Luba when they walked towards her during the final dance?!"

However, Adam soon dispelled any bubbling rumours of a fallout with a very nice tribute to Zara after the show after Halloween week.

He wrote alongside a selfie of the pair: "Literally the only pic I had with this one… and I got it off google haha.

"But just wanted to say I know it’s just a dance show and a bit of entertainment for people watching at home… but for us… it becomes so much more!!"