STRICTLY Come Dancing veteran Anton Du Beke has described being booted off this year's series as the "most difficult" to date.

The dance pro said he felt unusually emotional after being eliminated from this weekend's leg of the BBC One contest, as it would mean spending less time with his celebrity partner, Ruth Langsford.

The pair were given their marching orders on tonight's results show after facing the dreaded dance off against Paralympian Jonnie Peacock and Oti Mabuse.

Their week eight exit comes just days before the show moves to the glittering Tower Ballroom in Blackpool next weekend.

As the judges made their unanimous decision, Du Beke said: "It's a funny old thing this, getting voted off Strictly Come Dancing, it never gets any easier and this is, by far the most difficult.

"I feel a bit emotional and I don't know why."

Meanwhile, Langsford said she felt "disappointed" that she had been able to get "fabulous" Du Beke through to Blackpool week.

Langsford and Du Beke have warmed viewers' hearts with their relationship and comedy moments on the dancefloor, even though they have failed to score top marks for technical skill.