Strictly Come Dancing 2019, week 2 results show as it happened: James Cracknell eliminated after dance-off defeat to David James

• Olympic rower James Cracknell and pro partner Luba Mushtuk become first couple eliminated from Strictly 2019

• David James survived this year’s first dreaded dance-off 

• Remaining couples have reached next Saturday's Movie Week special

• Marianka Swain on technique: whose body shaping is setting the dancefloor alight?

• Ciara Nolan on the costumes: who wore it best this weekend?

In a battle of the strapping sportsmen, James Cracknell’s hoofing hopes were capsized.

Here are all the talking points and social media reaction from Sunday night's results show…

James Cracknell’s choreographic boat capsized

He was up dance creek without a paddle and his Strictly dreams were sunk. Coming into this first elimination weekend, Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell OBE was bookies’ odds-on favourite to be sent home in the spangly boat of shame. So it proved, as he unanimously lost the dreaded dance-off to fellow strapping sportsman David James.

The 47-year-old’s sporting heroics - in a boat or on a bike - took place sitting down and Cracknell never looked comfortable on the dancefloor. Last week’s rigid-with-terror tango left him bottom of the leaderboard with a mere 11 points - the lowest week one score for 14 years. This was followed by last night’s clumpy-footed jive, marked marginally better at 13 points but still a stinker. Poor timing and, as Cracknell himself admitted, two left feet were a killer combination.

It’s likely connected to his 2010 brain injury in a cycling accident but Cracknell also seemed strangely humourless. He couldn’t let himself go or become a cult underdog to root for, like comedy figures of previous Strictly series. His stiff-as-an-oar efforts might have been plucky but were no fun to watch, hence he was unable to win over viewers. Even in his exit speech, he said he'd only enjoyed the last few days. Sending him home early felt like the merciful thing.

At least his close friend and fellow adventurer Ben Fogle was on hand in the studio audience to commiserate. What odds we’ll see Fogle foxtrotting in a future series?

Luba’s debut contest was short-lived

After being an assistant choreographer and ensemble dancer for two years, Russian-born professional Luba Mushtuk finally got her first celebrity partner this year. Sadly, the newly promoted 28-year-old’s first full contest was to last just two weeks.

As one of the taller female pros, she was a natural fit for 6ft 4in Cracknell but couldn’t work miracles. At least she’s likely get a more promising partner next year to compensate.

David James came good in the dance-off

James Cracknell actually outscored David James on Saturday evening, although when the two weeks were totalled up, James was second bottom on the combined scoreboard. If they’d both simply repeated last night’s routines, the former England goalkeeper would probably have been the one sent home.

However, he rose to the occasion and pulled off a last-gasp save. David took the judges’ comments on board and delivered an improved paso doble second time around, with more matador shaping, improved intent and characterisation.

Pro partner Nadiya Bychkova also deserves credit for helping to raise his game. However, David will need to turn on the style if he’s going to survive much longer.

What is it with sporty types on Strictly?

Sporting heroes often struggle to translate their athletic prowess onto the fabled Elstree Studios dancefloor. Sure, they’re physically fit, hard-working and highly competitive, but their bodies are trained to work in different ways. They’re also unaccustomed to the performance element, finding in tricky to bring character, acting ability and facial expression to their routines.

That was certainly the case with James Cracknell, who becomes the fourth sportsperson in Strictly history to suffer the ignominy of being first out, following the two-left-footsteps of tennis player Martina Hingis, golfer Tony Jacklin and athlete Iwan Thomas.

However, a hat-trick of sports stars have also won the glitterball trophy down the years - namely Darren Gough, Mark Ramprakash and Louis Smith - so it’s not all dance dis-ah-sters for the locker room brigade.

Motsi Mabuse defied death threats and won hearts

News broke today that new Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse had been the target of a major security scare after she was   targeted by white supremacists. The 38-year-old South African received “specific and very sinister” death threats which saw security beefed up and ex-military personnel brought in to guard Elstree Studios.

How awful and frightening for her, yet you wouldn't know it from Motsi's typically effervescent performance tonight. She shimmied out in a sparkly animal print mini-dress, was encouraging to the celebrities and decisive in her technical verdicts.

Motsi's energy, humour and sass have already been a hit with viewers, giving the judging panel a lift in the wake of Dame Darcey Bussell's departure. Let's hope these racist trolls are soon found and brought to justice. In the meantime, we stand with you, Motsi.

Pro troupe were on sizzling form

This results show opened with a dramatic group number from the professionals, depicting a love triangle on the rooftops of Barcelona as Gorka “The Corker” Marquez and Graziano Di Prima competed for the attentions of Oti Mabuse. A guest flamenco dancer from Spain stomped and strutted in the background, which was all very Strictly Ballroom.

Later, during the musical performance from Scottish singer/songwriter Lewis Capaldi, romantic choreographic accompaniment came from barefoot, black-clad married couple Alijaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara. A pair of passionate performances from the pros for this first results show.

Movie Week now beckons

Our 14 surviving pro-celebrity pairs now dance onto next Saturday’s show, which has a Movie Week theme. The couples will be tackling routines inspired by filmic favourites, so expect a fancy dress frenzy.

The third live show airs next Saturday at 7.10pm on BBC One. Meet you back here to munch popcorn while deciding who's a blockbuster hit and who’s a box office flop. In the meantime, as always: keeeeeeep dancing!

8:12PM

Sunday night as it happened

Here’s your full results show recap…

8:00PM

James and Luba's last dance

As the eliminated couple take a final turn around the dancefloor to Crowded House classic "Don't Dream It's Over" and the other couples crowd in for the traditional group hug, please stay with us for analysis and social media reaction.

7:58PM

Luba returns the compliment

His pro partner Ms Mushtuk, says: “A huge thank you with all my heart for making this journey so amazing. You inspired me every day and I hope you inspire many more other people to start dancing.”

7:58PM

James says his farewells

In his exit interview, James Cracknell tells Tess: “I definitely enjoyed the last three days of training as I got to grips with the steps. It’s a luxury being with someone so good and learning off them. I’m a way better dancer than I was two weeks ago. Luba’s been amazingly patient with a couple of left feet.”

7:57PM

Head judge Shirley Ballas agrees

Twirly Shirley, the Queen of Latin, says she would also have saved David and Nadiya. A unanimous result, then.

7:57PM

James Cracknell is eliminated

So the Olympic rowing champion becomes the first celebrity to exit this year’s contest.

7:57PM

Bruno Tonioli choose to save…

David and Nadiya, saying, “they showed how to apply and work on the comments of the judges, delivering a performance that was almost night and day from last night”.

7:56PM

Motsi Mabuse chooses to to save…

David and Nadiya, saying, they had “a stronger performance, a stronger intention, clearer actions”.

7:56PM

Craig Revel Horwood chooses to save…

David and Nadiya, saying they “improved beyond compare in that dance-off”.

7:55PM

This could be close

For me, David James closed the three-point gap there. But what will the judges decide?

7:54PM

David takes his turn

Now David James and Nadiya Bychkova have another go at their paso doble to “Espa?a Ca?í”. Bruno Tonioli said last night it was "more Sunday league than Real Madrid, the cape-work was like a dusty rag and I've seen better shaping on an airline safety demonstration".

Craig Revel Horwood added that it was "limp, lame and lacklustre”. However, this looks like an improvement with more character, artistry and shaping. The cape-work was more convincing too.

7:52PM

James goes first in dance-off

James Cracknelland Luba Mushtuk reprise their pancake-tossing jive to “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard. The judges said last night that it was stiff, heavy and stompy, comparing him to Godzilla. Which was nice.

7:47PM

David James in the dance-off 

Again, no alarms and no surprises. It’s a sporting battle as the former England goalkeeper joins James Cracknell in the dreaded eliminator. With just three points to separate them last night, this could go either way.

7:45PM

Who will face James Cracknell in the dance-off?

We're about to find out. Cue tense tick-tocky music and mood lighting...

7:41PM

Dance debrief

Up to the Clauditorium now for the weekly feature formerly known as Len’s Lens. Perhaps they should rebrand it as Motsi’s Microscope.

7:39PM

Lewis Capaldi croons in ballroom

Musical performance now from Scottish singer/songwriter Lewis Capaldi, performing his chart-topping single “Someone You Loved”. It spent seven weeks at number one last winter and the tear-jerking video starred his second cousin once removed, actor Peter Capaldi of The Thick Of It/Doctor Who/eyebrows fame.

Married pros Alijaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara provide black-clad, barefoot choreographic accompaniment.

7:38PM

Movie Week titbits revealed

Anton Du Beke will be playing as Austin Powers next Saturday. Yeah, baby, yeah.

7:35PM

James Cracknell in dreaded dance-off

No great surprise there. The Olympic rower was bottom of the scoreboard for the past two weeks and will dance for survival. But who against? "We're going to have to do it all again," he grimaces to pro partner Luba Mushtuk. It's the pancakes I feel sorry for.

7:34PM

Is it just me or...

Does Kelvin Fletcher resemble an inflated Gareth Southgate?

7:32PM

First Couple's Choice next week

Dev Griffinand Dianne Buswell will be dancing it. Intriguing. Anyway, back to the tension-building light of doom...

7:29PM

Yee-hah!

Cowboy Mike Bushell rides through to next week. As do Karim Zeroual and Will Bayley.

7:28PM

Michelle and Giovanni are safe

Thank you! Thank you! And, if you will, thank you!

7:27PM

Time for the red light of doom

My, we've missed this. We're about to discover who's safe and who's not.

7:22PM

Saturday's show rewound

Last night’s live show gets the montage treatment. Ping pong bats! Pancake-tossing! Bull-fighting! Mike Bushell’s demented cowboy routine!

7:20PM

Frockwatch

Here come our co-hosts, so time for our traditional fashion face-off. Claudia Winkleman’s in a bell-sleeved cream silk blouse and black besequinned trousers. Tess Daly’s in a black off-the-shoulder gown. Claudia clinches it for those trousers.

7:17PM

Catalonian love triangle for the pros

We kick off with dramatic group number from the professional troupe. They’ve roped in a flamenco dancer from Spain for this Hispanic-flavoured routine, set on the rooftops of Barcelona. The story sees love rivals Gorka “The Corker” Marquez and Graziano Di Prima competing for the attentions of Oti Mabuse.

7:16PM

And we're off!

Roll new-look title sequence! Wonder which one of those couples will be old news in 40 minutes!

7:09PM

Rower at risk but nobody is safe

James Cracknellcame into this weekend as the bookies' odds-on favourite for elimination and remains at the foot of the leaderboard. But with viewers having their say for the first time, anything could happen and a surge of support for the Olympic hero could yet lift him clear of the bottom two. It's still all to dance for, sequin fans.

Five minutes until that familiar ba-ba-daa theme tune...

7:04PM

Lewis Glitterball-di, anyone?

Tonight's musical guest is Scottish singer-songwriter scamp Lewis Capaldi, aka the younger, more Caledonian Ed Sheeran.

We will also be treated to a flamenco-themed group dance from the Strictly professional troupe. Ten minutes until showtime...

6:58PM

Less training time but no quality drop

Our pro-celebrity pairs only had a week to rehearse last night's routine, as opposed to two weeks for the previous show, but you wouldn’t necessarily have known it. Several celebrities showed huge improvements - notably Anneka Rice,Viscountess Emma Weymouth and comedian Chris Ramsey, whose points increase from week one to week two was the biggest in Strictly history.  Canny lad.

But who'll be departing the dancefloor tonight? Fifteen minutes until we find out...

6:51PM

Fifteen are about to become 14

Hold onto your cowboy hats and toss your pancakes because the first elimination of Strictly 2019 is upon us.

At 7.15pm on BBC One, our 15 pro-celebrity pairings find out who has made it through to Movie Week and who is doomed to face this year's first dreaded dance-off.

On Saturday night, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual topped the leaderboard, with Drag Race diva Michelle Visage and former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher tucked in behind.

At the foot of the scoreboard were dad-dancing sportsmen James Cracknell and David James.

Two weeks’ worth of judges’ scores will be combined with the public vote tonight, then the bottom two couples will dance for survival - but will viewers agree with the paddle-raising panel? If not, the likes of Anneka Rice, Mike Bushell and Chris Ramsey could come into choreographic contention.

In contrast to last night’s epic, tonight’s results show clocks in at a short and snappy 45 minutes. We'll be liveblogging from 6.45pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, recaps, analysis and waspish asides. Please join us - and join in too. You can email me on michael.hogan@ telegraph.co.uk, tweet me on @michaelhogan or leave comments at the bottom of this blog. I'll keep an eye on them all and report the highlights here.

Who’ll get this year’s sequin-handled wooden spoon? Nearly time to staaaaart eliminating…