Injury blow as two leave Strictly

Published on Saturday 21 November 2009 22:10

EASTENDERS actor Ricky Groves was booted off Strictly Come Dancing last night after admitting he "mucked up" his routine.

And Olympic athlete Jade Johnson was also forced to withdraw after failing to recover from a ligament injury she sustained in last week's dress rehearsal.

Groves, last night's lowest scoring contestant, predicted his downfall after performing the tango with dance partner Erin Boag. He told the judges: "You make mistakes, you've got to go, maybe it's my time to go."

He said he was thrown off track after going wrong with the first few steps of the routine.

Head judge Len Goodman said there were "too many mistakes" and he "kept going wrong", while Bruno Tonioli said the performance ended "very, very badly".

Craig Revel Horwood said there were "obviously mistakes galore", adding: "It was sterile and mechanical all the way through."

Johnson, a two-times Commonwealth Games and European Championship silver medallist, is targeting a podium finish at the 2012 London Olympics. Her injury raised fears the long jumper might jeopardise her long-term career if she continued in the competition.

She said: "I'm a competitor and I don't give up easily, so I'm absolutely gutted that it means that I can't continue dancing in the show.

"I've had a great time and enjoyed learning to dance, and I am going to miss training with Ian, who has been a fantastic partner."