Alert – Strictly Come Dancing star Paul Merson reveals his ‘secret link’ to one judge following after getting his marching orders from BBC show

Paul Merson has revealed he has ‘history’ with one of the Strictly Come Dancing judges during an appearance on BBC Two spin-off, It Takes Two on Monday.

The former footballer, 56, and his pro partner Karen Hauer, 42, became the fourth couple to depart the competition following a dance off against JB Gill and Amy Dowden. 

Discussing his departure with presenter Fleur East, Paul revealed that he and Anton Du Beke have ‘been to a few dos’ together after she pointed out he scored him higher than the other judges.

He said: ‘I would have been disappointed if he weren’t. I have been to a couple of dos with him before so I have met him before he is a nice bloke Anton.’

Despite the link to a judge, it wasn’t enough to save Paul from being booted out of the BBC dancing competition on Sunday. 

Paul Merson has revealed he has ‘history’ with one of the Strictly Come Dancing judges during an appearance on BBC Two spin-off, It Takes Two on Monday

The former footballer, 56, and his pro partner Karen Hauer , 42, became the fourth couple to depart the competition following a dance off against JB Gill and Amy Dowden

Discussing his departure with presenter Fleur East, Paul revealed that he and Anton Du Beke have ‘been to a few dos’ together after she pointed out he scored him higher than the other judges

Both Paul and JB performed their routines again – Paul and Karen performed their Samba to Car Wash by Rose Royce. 

Then, JB and his partner Amy, 34, performed their Jive to Hey Ya! by Outkast.

After both couples had danced for a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts as Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton chose to save JB and Amy.

With three votes in favour of JB and Amy, they won the majority vote meaning that Paul and Karen would be leaving the competition. 

Head Judge Shirley Ballas also agreed and said she would have decided to save JB and Amy.

When asked by host Tess Daly about their time on the show, Paul said: ‘It’s been really good. For anybody I talk to, I would say you’ve got to go on this show. It’s amazing – everybody. 

‘There’s a Tottenham fan over there called Lincoln and even he’s nice! 

‘It’s been amazing, honestly, amazing. I loved every minute of it, I’ve had a great teacher.

‘She’s been amazing, absolutely amazing and I couldn’t wish for a better coach. I’ve loved every minute of it. 

He said: ‘I would have been disappointed if he weren’t. I have been to a couple of dos with him before so I have met him before he is a nice bloke Anton’

Despite the link to a judge, it wasn’t enough to save Paul from being booted out of the BBC dancing competition on Sunday

When asked by host Tess Daly about their time on the show, Paul said: ‘It’s been really good. For anybody I talk to, I would say you’ve got to go on this show. It’s amazing – everybody’

‘I can dance now – I’ve won because I can dance, I couldn’t dance before and I can half dance now. It’s a bonus, absolute bonus.’

Karen then sweetly added: ‘Absolutely, you’ve been a joy. I’ve never giggled this much. My abs are really tight now. I am so proud of you. Every week you have showed up, you have improved. 

‘You’re what Strictly is about and I want to thank you for bringing such joy and just showing everyone that it is possible with a little bit of work and lots of giggles.’

Sunday’s results show also featured a routine from the professional dancers, as Nancy Xu and Dianne Buswell took centre stage in a passionate Paso Doble.

Choreographed by Oti Mabuse, the number was set at a cantina in the heat of an arid highway somewhere in the Southern states to Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood by Santa Esmeralda. 

Plus there was a musical performance from Sophie Ellis-Bextor singing her new single Freedom Of The Night.

The remaining 11 couples will take to the dancefloor next week for the Halloween Special.

Strictly returns on Saturday October 26 at 18.25pm with the results show on Sunday at 19.20pm on BBC One and iPlayer. 

Both of this weekend’s episodes are available to watch now via BBC iPlayer.