Axed Byrne tells of Strictly 'fun' (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Axed Byrne tells of Strictly 'fun'

7:47pm Sunday 9th December 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Nicky Byrne has slid off the Strictly Come Dancing floor but said the experience had been "so much fun".

The former Westlife singer failed to impress the judges on Saturday with his fusion of samba and American Smooth with partner Karen Hauer.

Dancing to Olly Murs' Troublemaker, the pair performed an energetic routine that saw Nicky sliding across the floor on his knees.

But after being forced into a dance-off with Denise Van Outen and James Jordan, the judges voted unanimously to kick Nicky, a former youth team footballer with Leeds United, off the show.

Nicky, 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, all the people backstage - 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 described the dance as "dreadful".

He told Nicky: "You need a lot more bounce in the samba, there wasn't any bounce. Your posture in the American Smooth part of it was truly dreadful, I've got to be honest."

Meanwhile, Kimberley Walsh topped the leaderboard on the BBC show, with a perfect score of 40 points.