Strictly Come Dancing contestant supported by co-star after early exit

• Welsh actor Melanie Walters, best known for playing Gwen in Gavin and Stacey, has become the second celebrity eliminated from the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing.
• Walters and her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec scored 17 points for their Charleston to Gina G's “Ooh Ahh... Just a Little Bit”, landing in the dance-off against former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr.
• Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas voted to save Wright-Phillips, and although Motsi Mabuse chose to save Walters, head judge Anton du Beke cast the deciding vote to eliminate the actor.
• Following her departure, the 64-year-old actor expressed her gratitude to Škorjanec and revealed she had expected to be voted off during the previous week, while her Gavin and Stacey co-star Joanna Page shared a supportive tribute online.
• Walters' elimination follows that of celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, leaving the remaining contestants to prepare for the upcoming Icons Week themed episode.

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Eliminated Strictly contestant addresses early exit from series: ‘So sorry to be leaving’