Strictly's Toyah Willcox says 'I'm so sorry' to pro partner

Viewers saw the second celebrity contestant leave the competition

Sunday night's elimination on Strictly Come Dancing saw the series saying goodbye to its second duo. Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones were voted off the show following a dramatic dance-off.

They were pitted against Paul Merson and Karen Hauer, leaving viewers biting their nails in suspense. After being announced as part of the bottom two, Toyah was clearly shaken and expressed her dismay with a heartfelt six words: "I feel so sorry for Neil! ".

Standing once more beneath the spotlight, both couples took to the dance floor; Toyah and Neil giving everything to their Samba set to 'Poor Unfortunate Souls' from The Little Mermaid, while Paul and Karen strutted their stuff to the Cha Cha rhythm of 'The Magnificent Seven' theme. The moment of judgement arrived as Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke announced their unanimous decision to save Paul and Karen.

This trio of votes meant that no further judgement was needed, though head judge Shirley Ballas confirmed she would have made the same call.

Having danced her last dance, Toyah reflected on her Strictly journey, saying: "It's been the best two months of my life, it has been fantastic. I have enjoyed every second. And you (Neil) have been phenomenal, thank you so much.", reports the Mirror.

She elaborated on her connection with her professional dance partner: "It was immediate, it had to be Neil. I felt so comfortable and safe. You're a great teacher, you're a great friend as well. You've just given me a new zest for life, that's the most valuable thing I've come away with."

Neil Jones also shared his thoughts saying: "She has made me laugh so much, I have never seen someone work so hard - I'm the one asking for breaks every now and then! She just kept going, she wanted to learn so much. If you saw her in the hallway she's been practicing. Everyone's been telling me have you seen Toyah practicing, she's brilliant and she's what Strictly is all about, and I've loved every moment."

The news comes after Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and his partner Nadiya Bychkova were the first couple to be voted off this season last weekend. In a Sunday spectacle, Movie Week on Strictly included a rom-com themed dance conceived by choreographer Mandy Moore, with Neil starring as the lead.

Accompanying the dances, pianist Alexis Ffrench delivered a stunning performance of 'The Heart Asks Pleasure First'.

With the competition heating up, the remaining 13 pairs are set to return to the stage for another week of performances as Strictly Come Dancing continues.