South Shields comedian Chris Ramsey earns judges' praise for latest Strictly Come Dancing performance

Ramsey and dance partner Karen Hauer now stand third out of the six remaining pairs of contestants on the BBC1 series following Saturday’s episode.

He scored 31 points out of 40 for his performance of the Paso Doble at Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Judge Bruno Tonioli, who gave him seven marks out of 10, labelled it a “very strong performance” while fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood, who scored it an eight, said it was “full of menace”.

Motsi Mabuse, giving him an eight, told him: “Chris, I am just so proud of you and you can be so proud of yourself.”

Public votes will added over the weekend to determine whether the pair avoid Sunday’s dreaded dance off.

Ramsey spoke earlier in the programme about the merits of dancing, saying: “I have never been as fit in my life and I was an amateur boxer when I was 17.

“I am young and I am boxing and I am still fitter now. I am 33. Dancing. It is magic.”

During a training break earlier this week back home at Harton Academy, he also told the Gazette how grateful he was for the “unbelievable support” he had received during the series.

Sunday’s episode begins at 7.15pm.

*The Gazette is backing Chris and Karen.

Please send your messages of support to us on social media using hashtags #VoteChris and #TeamChrisRamsey. You can also share your selfies supporting the pair and we’ll share the best.