Strictly Come Dancing star Judge Rinder is backing Louise Redknapp to win the glitterball trophy

JUDGE Rinder has been booted off Strictly - and is now secretly backing Louise Redknapp to win.

The Sun columnist, who lost in the dance-off to Ore Oduba, said he thought the victory would boost her confidence.

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It comes as mum of two Louise, 42, revealed she thought about quitting on the first day – fearing she couldn’t compete with younger women.

Judge, whose real name is Robert, 37, said: “I’ve made such amazing friends that I would be happy if any of them went on to win it.

“But I think Louise has the most to gain after coming out of her shell and growing in confidence.

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“There isn’t a single person who has gone out where people have said ‘yeah alright’ and there is not a single couple that is here where everyone wouldn’t say ‘brilliant’.”

Speaking about his departure, Robert revealed he wanted to keep up dancing with pro dancer Oksana Platero after loving his time on the show.

He added: “We are going to Salsa Club! I actually want to keep up with some of the ballroom stuff and want to keep up with the foxtrot.

“In fact I am going to open my own club and call it Foxtrot and Cocktails!”

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Louise is now the second favourite behind Danny Mac, 28, after impressing the judges during the last three weeks and improving her confidence.

She said: “That first day they were all just so gorgeous and confident and they had their dresses on and they were all tight and short and I just remember thinking ‘I can’t do this, I can’t go through with this, I can’t compete with these girls. I don’t want to.”

The former singer joins telly presenter Ore, 30, gymnast Claudia Fragapane, 19, and former West End star Danny in this weekend’s semi-final.

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Louise has proved a consistent and talented performer in this year’s show, topping the leaderboard on three separate weeks.

Louise and Kevin came first in the Cha Cha Challenge and are in the running for the final.

She also revealed that she hopes her ‘fertility king’ dance partner can be the lucky charm that brings her and husband Jamie a daughter to join their two sons.

The singer and presenter is married to former footballer Jamie Redknapp, who according to Louise has "zero rhythm".