13:05 10 October 2011
Edwina Currie has become the first celebrity to be voted off this yearÂ’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The ex-MP and her dance partner Vincent Simone finished bottom of the leaderboard, after their low judges' scores were combined with audience votes, eliminating them from the ballroom dancing competition.
Currie and Simone failed to impress with their cha cha cha and foxtrot routines and so found themselves in the danger zone, alongside boxer Audley Harrison and his professional partner Natalie Lowe.
Summing up her exit, Currie told hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman:
"Well I feel sorry for Vincent, because he has worked very hard. He's been a terrific teacher, he really, really has. Anything that we did wrong is entirely my fault.
"Whoever dances with Vincent is a very, very lucky woman."
The former Conservative Health Minister added that she had lost approximately half a stone in weight during her "absolutely fabulous" time on Strictly.
She also received praise from dance partner Simone, who admitted that he had been unsure of what to expect from the former politician.
But she was equally as grateful to him, saying:
"I just want to say I've had so much fun with you. Which I didn't expect because you were a 'politicianist'. But yes, you've taken care of me - so thank you for that."
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday at 6.25pm on BBC One.