Richard Arnold has become the latest celebrity to make his exit from Strictly Come Dancing, following this weekend's Wembley Arena spectacular. The showbiz reporter had survived the dance off on two previous occasions, but finally lost out after finding himself up against Westlife's Nicky Byrne in the bottom two on Sunday night. And after he had reprised his salsa with partner Erin Boag and Nicky had reprised his jive with partner Karen Hauer, the judges were in no doubt as to who they wanted to save. "They both performed well tonight but I have to say it comes down to content and energy," Darcey Bussell said, while Craig Revel Horwood added, "For sheer exuberance and energy I have to save Nicky and Karen." Afterwards Richard said he had "loved" being on the show and added, "The one thing I'll take from it is that now when I walk down the street people no longer cross the road to avoid me. You guys have been amazing." And he paid tribute to dance partner Erin Boag, saying, "I always thought I'd miss the wardrobe most, but I don't think I will, I will miss Erin Boag, - it's like climbing a mountain, and every Monday she'd say 'Welcome to another week'. I'll miss that on Monday." Richard had finished joint last in the judges' scoreboard on Saturday night with 24 out of 40 after his salsa to the Wham! hit Club Tropicana -which ended with him being carried by a trio of men in swimming trunks. "I think you couldn't wait to get back to Speedo world," Bruno Tonioli joked, while Len Goodman said he "thoroughly enjoyed" the routine. Seven other celebrities, including favourites Denise Van Outen and Louis Smith, made it through to next weekend. Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton also made it through and avoided the bottom two despite her paso doble landing her joint last on the scoreboard with Richard.
