Naturalist Steve Backshall tonight became the eighth celebrity to depart Strictly Come Dancing 2014.

The TV presenter and his professional partner Ola Jordan found themselves in the dance-off for the first time alongside star of Casualty Sunetra Sarker and her partner Brendan Cole.

Both performed their routines again, with Sarker and Cole doing their waltz to Last Request by Paolo Nutini and Backshall and Jordan dancing their American football-inspired jive to Little Bitty Pretty One.

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli on Strictly Come Dancing.
(Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Craig Revel-Horwood chose to save Sarker and Cole, saying: “I thought both couples danced better actually, but the couple I’d like to save – Sunetra and Brendan.”

Darcey Bussell disagreed, choosing to save Backshall and Jordan, while Bruno Tonioli agreed with Revel-Horwood, adding: “The couple with much more grace, elegance and style – Sunetra and Brendan.”

Brendan Cole and Sunetra Sarker during the Strictly Come Dancing live show on BBC One.
(Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Head judge Len Goodman also chose to save Sarker and Cole, saying: “My heart goes out to both of the couples in the dance-off, to come out and give it all they had – the couple that were the cleanest and for me the better couple on tonight’s performance – Sunetra and Brendan.”

Backshall paid tribute to Jordan, saying: “I’ll be gutted to go but the first thing I have to say is to this extraordinary lady, walking out on Blackpool Ballroom floor with all that nostalgia and history, with a dancer of your calibre, being taught to dance by you is an experience I’ll never forget and I am so, so privileged by that.”

Steve Backshall and Ola Jordan during the Strictly Come Dancing live show on BBC One.
(Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Jordan said: “You were absolutely brilliant to teach and work with. You struggled a lot with your injuries and you worked so hard, you gave me 100% in training, so thank you very much for being so wonderful.”

The results show featured a performance by Barry Manilow, singing Copacabana and What A Wonderful World.