[Red Moon]

Crocked Kate says Strictly Come Dancing will be 'cracking' now she's out

GMTV presenter Kate Garraway has defended herself after being kicked off Strictly Come Dancing.

After a poor final performance, which she blamed on yet another injury, Garraway said: "We've had our fun, but now we can see some cracking dancing".

The GMTV presenter said she was heading to a physiotherapist after she fell during rehearsals on Friday and spent Saturday-morning having treatment for a back injury before going on with the show.

Garraway, 38, had managed to stay in the programme after a series of disastrous performances, winning over viewers while fighting off fierce criticism from the panel.

Speaking on GMTV today, she said she hurt her back trying a paso doble with partner Anton du Beke.

"We were trying to be dramatic, but we were so dramatic we ended up in casualty," she said, adding that it was good to see only good dancers left.

"We've had our fun, but now we can see some cracking dancing," she said.

For the past seven weeks her dancing has been ridiculed, her deportment lampooned and her desirability likened to that of a coconut.

But the viewers steadfastly kept faith with Kate Garraway, refusing to let her dance her last tango.

But, the plucky GMTV presenter's luck finally ran out on Saturday as she was kicked off the hit BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing.

After accumulating the lowest judges' score for the third consecutive week, following a below par rendition of the Paso Doble, the 39-year-old star lost out in a dance-off against fellow celebrity, ex-footballer John Barnes.

Accompanied by her professional dance partner Anton Du Beke, Miss Garraway's performance came in for yet another critical mauling.

"Tutankhamen in a frock would have done a better job," said Bruno Tonioli, who awarded the couple five points. "The footwork was mummified."

Head judge, Len Goodman, said: "Like the Perils of Pauline every week a disaster but she always comes back. I liked the steps but it lacked a bit of fire and drama."

While Craig Revel Horwood claimed her routine "lacked attack", the panel's Arlene Phillips described it, rather more harshly, as "plonky, plonky", adding: "Less like a cape more like a shag carpet."

Despite her evident popularity with television audiences, Miss Garraway's exit from the show came as little surprise after she limped her way through Saturday night's programme.

The accident-prone presenter, who almost quit the show in the first week after inflamed foot tendons left her on crutches, fell awkwardly during rehearsals and spent the morning having treatment for a back injury.

Last night she thanked viewers for giving her a sympathy vote and insisted - contrary to popular belief - that she had, over the course of the series, acquired a "passable" foxtrot.

"I've had the time of my life on Strictly Come Dancing," she said. "I want to thank Anton, for being such a wonderful 'dance-husband' but most of all the people at home who every week gave me a chance.

"I hope I repaid their good faith by at least being entertaining even if it often was for all the wrong reasons!.

"The time has come, though, for the competition to be about real dancers so I'm happy to bow out, sit back and enjoy the rest of the show.

"I am fitter than I was six weeks ago, can at least do a passable foxtrot and have developed a love of dancing which will never leave me.

"I urge everyone to find a local club and take some lessons - if I can have a crack at it, anyone can!"

Miss Garraway is the seventh contestant to be voted off the competition, leaving celebrities including Kelly Brook, Kenny Logan, Matt D'Angelo and singer Alesha Dixon to battle it out.

Despite being described as a "nightmare" dancer and as "sexy as a coconut", on top of being given the lowest judges' score on five occasions, Miss Garraway's survival on the show became something on an on-running joke.

Source: Daily Mail