'This is a nightmare': Tameka Empson is voted off Strictly Come Dancing as judges struggle to choose between EastEnders star and Laura Whitmore

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Last week's first dance off of the series was cancelled due to injury.

But the final showdown was back on for this Sunday's Strictly Come Dancing, as EastEnders star Tameka Empson found herself in the bottom two opposite TV presenter Laura Whitmore after Saturday night's public vote.

The bottom two results shocked the judges who struggled to choose who to send home, with Len Goodman left with the casting vote which saw viewers favourite Tameka dancing her last dance.

Out: EastEnders star Tameka Empson found herself in the bottom two opposite TV presenter Laura Whitmore on Sunday night's Strictly, before losing her place in the competition

Saturday night saw the fourteen couples give their best Hollywood-inspired performances for Len, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood for Movie Week.

The judges' scores were combined with the results of the viewers' votes to decide the lowest scoring two couples facing the Sunday dance off, leaving Tameka and her pro partner Gorka Marquez facing off against Laura and Giovanni Pernice. 

Both couples performed their routines again; Laura and Giovanni did their Salsa to Rhythm of The Night by Valeria Andrews from the movie Moulin Rouge and Tameka and Gorka performed their Tango to The Heat Is On from the movie Beverley Hills Cop in a bid to impress the judges and remain in the competition.

Crowd pleaser: Saturday night saw the fourteen couples give their best Hollywood-inspired performances

On Saturday night Len criticised Tameka's performance for being  'a little over the top', while Bruno said he 'loved her commitment' to the role.

The star scored a respectable 28 after admitting the dance had made for a 'very difficult' week in training. 

Meanwhile Laura had also admitted she struggled in training, confessing she was more of a ballroom girl at heart.   

Despite entertaining viewers, the judges all agreed on Saturday night that it lacked finesse, with Craig critiquing: 'I thought you threw a little bit too much of everything into it and lost a bit of control.'

Bottom two: Laura and Giovanni did their Salsa to Rhythm of The Night by Valeria Andrews from the movie Moulin Rouge

Darcey then affirmed: 'The preparations for your left began to look a little ungainly. If you iron those out, you're on to a winning performance.'

The blonde was still very excited by her score of 30 - which included an impressive 9 from Bruno. 

Sunday night saw the judges struggling to comprehend why the two ladies were in the dance off after their high scores, in a leaderboard which saw Danny Mac and Claudia Fragapane finishing top, while Ed Balls held up the rear with a respectable 24.  

Challenge: Laura had also admitted she struggled in training, confessing she was more of a ballroom girl at heart

Shock: Ultimately Len, Craig and Bruno chose to save Laura and Giovanni with Len having the deciding vote

Ultimately Craig and Bruno chose to save Laura and Giovanni, with Craig summing up the panel's feelings by telling the two couples:  'Well this is, I have to say, a little bit of a nightmare.'

'I don't feel like I have been in this position before. To be honest I can normally make a very clear decision but both couples were extraordinary.'

'One couple really flew through the routine better than they had previously and the other couple I thought even bettered that. And the couple I thought bettered that was Laura and Giovanni.'

Bruno added: 'Well let me say these girls are fantastic, you two shouldn't even be here. Both great performers, you gave it all you had but I think out of the two performances the stand out one was from Laura and Giovanni.'

Shock: Craig summed up the panel's feelings by telling the two couples: 'Well this is, I have to say, a little bit of a nightmare'

Darcey meanwhile chose to save Tameka and Gorka, reasoning: 'Well again I marked them both exactly the same in the main show and seeing them again tonight they've both made an improvement, cleaned up the attack of both of them.'

'Incredibly difficult to make a choice. But for me, because it was a stronger focus and intent into the performance, I am going to save Tameka and Gorka.'  

Head Judge Len had the casting vote and chose to save Laura and Giovanni, saying:  'Well as my colleagues have said they both came out and they really went for the dance. It was full on, there was plenty of attack, as Bruno said in my opinion neither should be in the dance off but that's the nature of the thing.'

Close call: Darcey chose to save Tameka and Gorka but it wasn't enough to save them

'But I've got to go with the couple that I felt did the more polished performance and that's Laura and Giovanni.'

When asked by Tess if she had enjoyed her time on the show, Tameka said, 'I have enjoyed my time immensely I really have. The costume, the hair, everybody. There are just so many people. Every department shows a lot of love and you guys watch it at home but it's really lovely to be a part of it and I'm grateful so thank you.' 

Tameka added: 'Gorka is such a lovely person, I think he is a great asset to the show. And you have showed me so much passion, so much patience, motivation and I love you. I really do. I think you're fantastic.'

Sunday's Results show also featured a performance from Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, who performed 'Somewhere' from the movie West Side Story.

The remaining thirteen couples will take to the dancefloor once more next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 15th October at 6.30pm with the results show on Sunday 16th October at 7.15pm on BBC One. 

Saved: Laura looked shocked to be in the bottom two after her high score