Strictly Come Dancing results: Pixie Lott sent home in shock elimination after dance-off with Simon Webbe

Pixie Lott has become the tenth celebrity to waltz off Strictly Come Dancing, despite being called one of the best contestants of this series by the judges.

The pop star and her partner Trent Whiddon found themselves in a competitive dance-off against bookies' favourites Simon Webbe and Kristina Rihanoff.

Both coupled performed their Saturday night dances again. Simon and Kristina performed their American Smooth to ‘Heartache Tonight’ by Michael Buble, while Pixie and Trent performed the Cha Cha to the Glee Cast version of ‘Love Shack’.

The judges were tied about who to send home. Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli chose to save Pixie and Trent, while Darcey Bussell chose to save Simon and Kristina.

Head judge Len Goodman was left to cast the deciding vote, calling Simon and Kristina his “winners”.

“I have to judge this on this one dance that I have seen - not what has been in the past, [or] what my expectations are in the future,” he said.

“I tell you – this is hard as a judge but harder as person but I am judging it and I know when I drive home, in my heart, I have the right result for me, and my winners were Simon and Kristina.”

Thanking her dance partner, Pixie said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better dance partner – honestly, Trent, you have been amazing. I have learnt so much and I am so grateful for it.”

She added: “I have honestly loved this experience so much and I am so pleased that I decided to do it. I am sad that I won’t get to learn the Salsa and the American Smooth next week.”