Nicky Byrne leaves Strictly Come Dancing

FORMER Westlife singer Nicky Byrne slid off the Strictly Come Dancing stage last night, but said the experience had been “so much fun”.

The former pop star failed to impress the judges on Saturday with his fusion of samba and American fox-trot with partner Karen Hauer.

Dancing to Olly Murs’ and Flo Rida’s Troublemaker, the pair performed an energetic routine that saw Byrne sliding across the floor on his knees.

But after being forced into a dance-off against Denise Van Outen and James Jordan, the judges voted unanimously to kick Byrne off the show. Byrne, the ninth celebrity to leave the show, said: “It has been just so much fun. It is the biggest and best show in the world.

“To come out every Saturday night is hard, but it’s playing a different character, doing a different dance – it’s just been amazing.

“Karen, every week, every day, has been incredible. We had a bit of a shaky start in terms of judges and stuff, but we just seemed to improve.

“I have to say ‘thank you’ to the judges – you have been absolutely amazing with all your advice – even the people that get you your coffee – I am going to miss the whole thing, it’s been an amazing experience.”

Judge Craig Revel Horwood was scathing. He told Byrne: “Your posture in the American smooth part of it was truly dreadful.”