Vicky Pattison in tears after judges praise as contestant exits

Vicky Pattison was seen in tears at the end of Sunday’s Strictly Come Dancing after judges praised her week two performance and an emotional elimination left a fellow contestant departing the competition. Pattison and partner Kai Widdrington earned a score of 24 for their Foxtrot to Sam Fender’s Rein Me In, drawing compliments from the panel, while moments later Tom Skinner and professional Amy Dowden lost the dance‑off and were sent home.

Head judge Shirley Ballas told Widdrington she could see Pattison "going all the way," urging him not to simplify routines for his partner. After all 15 couples performed, Pattison and Widdrington were among the first couples called safe. Seconds after the result, Dowden, who has spoken publicly about a cancer diagnosis and the injury that forced her to withdraw from last year’s show, became tearful and reflected on priorities. "Happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything else," she said on air. Cameras cut to Pattison and Widdrington elsewhere in the studio, where Pattison appeared visibly upset.

Earlier in the results show, Pattison told host Claudia Winkleman she had an idea to change the format so that no couples are...