Strictly Come Dancing fans were left ‘gutted’ for Alex Kingston following the actress performance on Saturday, before appearing to spot her suffering a painful injury.

The Doctor Who star, 62, was clearly disappointed after making numerous mistakes during her disco themed cha cha cha, before once again returning to the floor with partner Johannes Radebe, 38, for the show’s first ever Instant Dance challenge.

Despite her previously outstanding performances Alex took the slip-up on the chin and blamed it on ‘fatigue’, after scoring just 24 points out of 40, landing at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Judge Motsi Mabuse said: ‘One mistake I can forgive, two mistakes I will look the other way, three mistakes? I am not mother Christmas!’

Later speaking to host Claudia Winkleman, an emotional Alex said: ‘It’s never really discussed when you’re at the sharp end, how our bodies are suffering and my 62-year-old self is saying, what are you saying, but my spirit and soul is saying [puts finger in her ears] la la la, I don’t want to know, I want to keep dancing’.

Taking to X fans said: ‘Gutted for Alex. Just got really staggered and a bit all over the place. But she showed such humility during the judges’ comments’: ‘I’m gutted for Alex’: ‘Poor girl so many mistakes at least she kept going’: ‘I want to give Alex a hug’.

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Strictly Come Dancing fans were left gutted for Alex Kingston following the actress’s latest performance on Saturday

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The Doctor Who actress, 62, was clearly disappointed after making numerous mistakes during her disco themed cha cha with pro partner Johannes Radebe, 38

Later viewers at home appeared to spot Alex painfully limping and were left worried she would be forced to withdraw from the competition.

‘Why is Alex limping? If she’s hurt herself surely it’s not a good idea to continue dancing?’: ‘Sorry it’s clear as day something is wrong with Alex. she’s literally limping just walking? someone get the girl a medic?! feel like even if she does make it through, this might be the end of the road’.

‘I really hope Alex is alright. She seems to be limping quite badly’: ‘Poor Alex looked like she was limping after choosing her outfit! Hope she’s ok’: ‘Poor Alex is limping’: ‘Was Alex limping then?’.

Following Alex’s performance influencer George Clarke took to the floor for a quickstep alongside pro partner Alexis Warr, after receiving his first ever 10 last week.

Judges Motsi, Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke were full of praise for the ‘classy’ routine, despite him also making a few mistakes.

Motsi in particular gushed over George, and said he was a ‘step up from everyone’ ahead of next week’s semi-final, as the panel scored the routine 34 out of 40.

Then it was the turn of Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope and Katya Jones who performed a sizzling rumba, which saw them nab an impressive 36 out of 40.

Following four weeks in the dance-off EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal risked once again being in the bottom two after she again made numerous slip-ups.

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Despite her previously outstanding perfomances Alex blamed her latest lacklustre dance on ‘fatigue’

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She landed at the bottom of the leaderboard with just 23 out of 40

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Judge Motsi Mabuse said: ‘One mistake I can forgive, two mistakes I will look the other way, three mistakes? I am not mother Christmas !’

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Later viewers at home appeared to spot Alex painfully limping and were left worried she would be forced to withdraw from the competition

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Taking to X fans said: ‘Gutted for Alex. Just got really staggered and a bit all over the place. But she showed such humility during the judges’ comments’

‘Why is Alex limping? If she’s hurt herself surely it’s not a good idea to continue dancing?’: ‘Sorry it’s clear as day something is wrong with Alex’

Lewis Cope and Katya Jones – 40 + 36 + 6 = 82

Karen Carney and Carlos Gu –  39 + 40 + 1 = 80

Amber Davies & Nikita Kuzmin – 36 + 40 + 4 = 80

George Clarke and Alexis Warr – 39 + 34 + 2 = 75

Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon – 33 + 28 + 5 = 66

Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe – 35 + 23 + 3 = 61

The soap actress danced a jive with Julian Caillon, which Anton branded ‘super apart from the mistakes’ before the judges scored the dance 28 out of 40.

Footballer Karen Carney then performed her couple’s choice with Carol Gu, as she paid tribute to her beloved mum who has supported her throughout her career.

Pro Carlos was left in tears after their colourful routine landed them their first ever 40, and sobbed: ‘[Karen] loves dancing more than me!’.

Last but certainly not least was Love Island’s Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin who also landed full marks for their jive.

While Shirley said the couple had left her ‘speechless’, Craig pretended to be unimpressed and said ‘now for the truth, darling’ before quipping:’fab-u-lous!’.

Elsewhere in the show viewers were left in hysterics during the show’s ‘chaotic’ first ever Instant Dance challenge.

The couples learned live on air which of their previous dances they would perform and a frantic dash to pick out a costume, in what fans branded ‘carnage’.

The celebs and their partners were banned from speaking and were only given ten seconds to discuss their routine once on the dance floor ahead of the music starting, with the judges points added to each couple’s main core.

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Following Alex’s performance influencer George Clarke took to the floor for a quickstep alongside pro partner Alexis Warr, after receiving his first ever 10 last week

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Judges Motsi, Shirley, Craig and Anton were full of praise for the ‘classy’ routine, despite George also making a few mistakes

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Motsi in particular gushed over George, and said he was a ‘step up from everyone’ ahead of next week’s semi-final, as the panel scored the routine 34 out of 40

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Then it was the turn of Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope and Katya Jones who performed a sizzling rumba

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Again impressing the judges the couple nabbed 36 out of 40

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Following four weeks in the dance-off EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal risked once again being in the bottom two after she again made numerous slip-ups

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The soap actress danced a jive with Julian Caillon, which Anton branded ‘super apart from the mistakes’ before the judges scored the dance 28 out of 40

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Footballer Karen Carney then performed her couple’s choice with Carol Gu, as she paid tribute to her beloved mum who has supported her throughout her career

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Karen showed off her impressive gymnastics skills

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Their colourful routine landed them their first ever 40

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Pro Carlos was left in tears and sobbed: ‘[Karen] loves dancing more than me!’

As everyone in the studio appeared confused, with the judges swapping seats and hosting Claudia sporting a fruit hat, fans begged for the mayhem to occur every week.

Taking to X they said: ‘This is pure chaos and I love it!’: ‘The chaos’: ‘The Instant Dance is chaos and it’s not even started yet’: ‘This is chaos… do it every week’: ‘the instant dance challenge is carnage but So much fun!! I’m loving this,’.

Following the challenge the judges scored Lewis with the full six points, followed by Balvinder with five, Amber with four points, Alex scored three, George two and Karen last with just one point.

It comes after Richard Madeley sparked major debate on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two after delivering a blistering critique of the judging panel.

The Good Morning Britain host, appeared on Friday night’s episode hosted by Fleur East, and took aim at what he sees as unfair treatment towards EastEnders star Balvinder – and he didn’t mince his words.

Richard insisted Balvinder has been ‘consistently underrated and underserved’ arguing that despite ‘good scores’, she continues to be ‘underscored by the judges’ and unfairly overlooked by viewers.

He added that he’s ‘never understood’ why she keeps landing in the bottom two, saying he believes she’s ‘one of the best’ celebrities left in the competition.

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Last but certainly not least was Love Island’s Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin who also landed full marks for their jive

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While Shirley said the couple had left her ‘speechless’, Craig pretended to be unimpressed and said ‘now for the truth, darling’ before quipping:’fab-u-lous!’

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Elsewhere in the show viewers were left in hysterics during the show’s ‘chaotic’ first ever Instant Dance challenge

+27
View gallery

In a first ever of its kind, the couples learned live on air which of their previous dances they would perform and a frantic dash to pick out a costume, in what fans branded ‘carnage’

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View gallery

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Taking to X they said: ‘This is pure chaos and I love it!’: ‘The chaos’: ‘The Instant Dance is chaos and it’s not even started yet’: ‘This is chaos… do it every week’

But while he championed her natural ability, Richard who appeared on the sofa alongside Dragons Den Sara Davies and Paralympian Sammi Kinghorn, admitted he had doubts about her upcoming Jive, suggesting the fast choreography may not suit her.

He said: ‘I’m not sure the jive is a natural dance for her. She’s full of warmth and grace and charm. She’s beautiful when she moves around. I’m not sure the jive is her thing. I think she’ll struggle a bit. I don’t think she’ll get a 10.’

His outspoken comments immediately lit up social media, with many viewers applauding him for saying what they’ve been thinking.

Taking to X they wrote: ‘I actually kind of get where Richard is coming from with the Jive regarding Bal if I’m being honest. Bal is warm & her movements are so lovely,which is opposite to what’s needed I guess with the jive. I think she’ll bring the energy tho & absolutely smash it. Go #TeamBalian’;

‘Finally Richard said what we all have been thinking ..I hope she makes through and that jive looking good to me’;

‘Absolutely this! It needed saying what Richard said, she’s been underscored and underrated. Bring on the Jive ❤️ ‘;

‘I do feel sorry for Bal I think they throw her under the bus lv xx Bal she is bloody incredible Bal ❤’.