Strictly: Who left, who was in the dance off and which couple topped the leaderboard

STRICTLY Come Dancing’s David James and Nadiya Bychkova became the latest couple to be eliminated from the competition.

The twosome followed in the footsteps of Dev Griffin, Anneka Rice and James Cracknell when they were botted off the show in week five.

Week five of Strictly Come Dancing saw Alfonso Ribeiro, 48, step in for long-serving judge Bruno Toniolo, 63, for the second year in a row.

His appearance excited the dancers, with many of them fans of the actor’s work on the ‘90s sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

But the Italian judge’s replacement was not the only shocker of the week, as another duo was kicked off the show.

Here is everything you need to know about week five, including the dreaded dance-off, leaderboard results and latest elimination.

Who left Strictly Come Dancing in week five?

David James was the fourth celebrity to depart the show following a dance-off with Mike Bushell and Katya Jones.

Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Mike and Katya, with him sayings: “Well for me both couples were pretty much technically equal but the couple who I’d like to save were the most confident performers and that was Mike And Katya.”

Motsi Mabuse also picked Mike and Katya and said: “Well I felt that one couple gave me a better performance than I saw the first time so I’m going to save Mike and Katya.”

Next to speak was Alfonso Ribeiro, who chose to save Mike and Katya.

Alfonso said: “The couple who I’m going to save put on a great show. The technique wasn’t there but they came out and delivered a showstopper for the audience to love so I’m going to save Mike and Katya.”

Head Judge Shirley Ballas said she would have also chosen to save Mike and Katya.

David and Nadiya’s elimination comes after Dev Griffin was kicked off the show in week five, with Dianne Buswell.

The week before his exit Anneka Rice suffered the same fate and left the competition with 2018 winner Kevin Clifton.

James Cracknell was the first celebrity to face the chop alongside his dance partner Luba Mushtuk.

Who was in the Strictly Come Dancing dance-off?

David and Nadiya, and Mike and Katya were in the bottom two couples and ultimately had to compete against each other in the dance-off.

Both couples performed their routines again, David and Nadiya performed their Jive to Such a Night by Michael Bublé.

Meanwhile, Mike and Katya performed their Salsa to Jump On It to The Sugar Hill Gang in a bid to impress the judges and remain in the competition.

But it was Mike and Katya who won over the judges and were saved from elimination.

Speaking after his performance about his time on the show, David said: “Oh I’ve loved it. I feel so bad I’ve let Nadiya down in a sense. I’ve enjoyed it but I’ve put some weight on though.”

When asked about his highlights David said: “Having the best partner and the guys up there. Everyone’s lovely. Just a word to Will: I think I work hard, but, man, that guy puts a shift in.”

Nadiya was asked if she had any words for David, he said: “He’s done so well. I’m so proud of you. From the first day he couldn’t lift his elbows up or stand straight and now he’s delivered such an amazing jive. I’m so proud.”

Which stars topped the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard?

Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard impressed the judges with their Foxtrot to Theme From New York, New York by Frank Sinatra.

The duo was awarded a whopping 38 out of 40, putting them at the top of the leaderboard on Saturday, October 19.

Following closely behind them were Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden, who performed the Salsa to Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men.

The children’s TV presenter and his dance partner scored 36, the same as Emma Weymouth and Aljaz Skorjanec.

At the bottom of the leaderboard were David James and Nadiya Bychkova, with a disappointing 16 points.

When is Strictly Come Dancing 2019 next on?

Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday and Sunday (October 26 and 27) for the Halloween special.

The Saturday night show will start at 6:35pm on BBC1 and finished at 8:20pm.

While the Sunday edition will be on your screens for forty-five minutes starting at 7:15pm with a performance by Adam Lambert.

As always Saturday night will see the celebs battle it out on the dancefloor in the hope of impressing the judges and making it through to week seven.

On Sunday, one unlucky star will be given the boot during the elimination. Here is the FULL celebrity line-up here.