Seann Walsh has avoided the axe from Strictly Come Dancing as Vick Hope became the fourth star to depart the dancefloor.

The comedian and his married professional partner Katya Jones had been at the centre of a media storm after they were photographed kissing two weeks ago.

The duo faced Capital FM DJ Hope and her professional partner Graziano Di Prima in the dance-off.

Walsh and Jones attempted their quickstep to Lightning Bolt by Jake Bugg for a second time, while Hope and Di Prima performed their cha cha cha to More Than Friends by James Hype feat. Kelli-Leigh.

Their routine had been panned by the judges on Saturday night, who awarded Hope and Di Prima just 20 points. Last week, the couple scored 29, placing Hope joint third on the leaderboard.

After both couples danced again, judge Craig Revel Horwood opted to save Hope and Di Prima, saying: “Both dances were very different but both couples I thought need technique as well, but the couple I thought, for me on the night, Vick and Graziano.”

Darcey Bussell opted to save Walsh and Jones, saying: “Both couples tonight did a much better performance, so that was wonderful to see, but the couple I’ll have to save, was a cleaner performance, and that was Seann and Katya.”

Guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro, who was standing in for Bruno Tonioli for one week, also chose to save Walsh and Jones.

He said: “I thought everybody really stepped up their game this time around. The person that I felt stepped it up the most and eliminated more of the mistakes was Seann & Katya.”

Head judge Shirley Ballas was left with the casting vote and also chose to save Walsh and Jones saying: “I thought both couples put their best foot forward this evening, but due to the performance I enjoyed the most I am going to save Seann and Kaya.”

Speaking about her time on the show, Hope said: “I’ve loved it. I’ve had the time of my life so I want to thank everyone for being the best possible people I could spend all this time with.

“What an incredible team; the hair, the make-up, the clothes. Thank you for all of your guidance and the judging I appreciate it and of course, thank you Graz, you’ve been so patient with me and helped me so much, I’ve loved every last second of it so thank you.”

Di Prima added: “First of all I want to say thank you Vick because I know it’s been really tough and people know how hard you work all day plus eight hours with me and then sleep for three hours and then again every day.

“You did brilliantly and you are brilliant, thank you. You really make me proud day by day.”

The eleven remaining couples will return to the dance floor next week for the Strictly Come Dancing Halloween special episode on BBC One at 6.50pm.