Shock result on 'Dancing'

Viewers and Hlubi Mboya herself were dumbfounded after the soap star was unceremoniously kicked off 'Strictly Come Dancing' last night. This serving as a reminder that reality TV takes no prisoners — despite the fact that her performance had impressively improved during the last couple of episodes.

When the judges' scores and viewer votes were tallied, Mboya and partner Khutso Khunou came head-to-head with Tessa van Duuren and dance partner Grant Esterhuizen in the feared and dreaded dance-off. Van Duuren has been a top scorer through the series and managed to achieve the third highest score from the judges. But viewers and their votes were obviously not there for Hlubi and Tessa, at a time when they needed it most… Gugu Zulu's fans obviously did their thing to keep their favourite speed freak out of the hot water.

After the dance-off, the judges chose to keep the following of the two celebs in the competition:
Tyrone Watkins: Tessa van Duuren
Salome Sechele: Hlubi Mboya ("for more body rhythm during the Samba")
Dave Campbell: Tessa van Duuren

Head adjudicator, Lilian Phororo, also vouched for Tessa, immediately booting Mboya out of the competition and back to real life.

Viewers' votes account for 50 percent of the final scores. As per usual, when judges' scores and viewer votes were tallied, the two couples with the lowest combined scores had to perform their routines again during a dance-off.

The judges' scores (before viewer votes were added) were as follows:
Rob van Vuuren & Mary Martin: 32
Garth Collins & Hayley Bennett: 28
Anele Mdoda & Brandon Eilers Le Riche: 28
Tessa van Duuren & Grant Esterhuizen: 27
Cindy Nell & Jonathan Broadway: 27
Hlubi Mboya & Khutso Khunou: 26
Gugu Zulu & Sarah Cooper: 23

All couples performed the Samba — that festive dance, inspired by the sexy moves in the streets during the Rio Carnival. Think lots of sensual hip action, energy, fire and passion.

The couple that managed to stay in the competition after surviving the dance-off in both the previous episodes, Gugu Zulu and Sarah Cooper, opened the floor dressed in party outfits of striking yellow and shocking pink. These two get on like a house on fire, and it was clear that — despite the challenges the style involves — they enjoyed themselves like anyone would at a real street carnival. Salome Sechele thought their performance rocked and that his two left feet were slowly but surely coming to terms with the ballroom floor. Lillian Phororo was disappointed that he seemed to run out of fuel and also that they appeared a bit under-rehearsed. Timing remains an issue for the race car driver.

Tessa van Duuren and Grant Esterhuizen gave the Samba a Wild West-theme, something that would prove a dodgy decision in the long run. Dave Campbell commented that she seemed to have one foot in Rio and one in Texas, and that they clearly disrespected the character of the dance. All judges agreed that, once again, she was the belle of the ball.

Dazzling in a yellow mini dress, Hlubi Mboya, all smiles and with fabulous glittery make-up, presented a competent routine alongside dance partner Khutso Khunou. Tyrone Watkins complimented their choice of music, but found all the shaking a bit much. He thought their performance lacked quality and that her spine didn't work at all. For all Campbell cared, Mboya could have "shaken herself into a coma". He noticed small technical faults and was delighted with the freshness she brings to the stage. Phororo enjoyed her good arms and suggested work "on taking her lines right through her body".

After last week's disappointing Foxtrot, Rob van Vuuren and Mary Martin were obviously more determined than ever to not play safe and give the judges a brave, daring routine. With a performance full of lifts and delightful gymnastics, they managed to even get Watkins to feel their contagious energy. Phororo was once again impressed with his 100 percent commitment. Campbell reminded the couples that the lifts are not essential and in actual fact something that get them penalised.

Cindy Nell and Jonathan Broadway have obviously won their war against the judges, but she was once again out of time and criticised for not including enough hip action, typical of the Samba. Sechele pleaded for her to stretch herself even further during this competition, but also said that their simplistic routine and her feathery pink outfit was a crafty choice that succeeded in masking their mistakes.

Wearing the night's most unusual costumes, Garth Collins and Hayley Bennett, delivered the night's most entertaining performance, although judges found it hard to spot any Samba in their routine. HHP (who conquered series 3 at Hayley's side) made a surprise appearance, providing the soundtrack to their colourful performance. Garth lacked the required knee action (possibly as a result of a problematic injury), but did succeed in bringing the glamour of the Rio Carnival to the Carlton Ballroom, according to Campbell. Collins works every part of his toned body and especially the persistent tight booty shaking might ensure that we see him in the competition for a while still…

The shows bounciest couple, 5FM’s Anele Mdoda and Brandon Eilers le Riche, once again lit up the dance floor with their wow-factor and energy. Phororo thought the "party princess" once again delighted, while Watkins suspected that too little time was spent rehearsing. She was reminded to pay attention to her arm line, but also complimented on the way her work on toe movements has paid off.

And just when the tension in the ballroom became almost too much to bear, a welcome relief came in the form of a vocal performance by songstress Aya, combining jazz, classical influences and local sounds on her soon-to-be-released single, 'Ntombi'.

Next week viewers can expect to be entertained by couples performing a group Gumboot Dance (not scored) and a Viennese Waltz (for scores from judges). The Parlotones will be the show's special guest artists.