Strictly Come Dancing contestant Krishnan Guru-Murthy has admitted he is “heartbroken” after being sent home from the competition tonight.

The 53-year-old Channel 4 presenter paid a special tribute to his dance partner Lauren Oakley this evening, as they became the latest pair to leave the BBC show.

Krishnan and Lauren competed against Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington in the dance-off and, while head judge Shirley Ballas said she would have saved the former pair, the other three judges chose to send the latter couple through to Blackpool week.

In view of his 36,700 Instagram followers, Krishnan paid tribute to Lauren with a series of cute snaps from their time together on the show.

In the caption he wrote: “That’s all folks. Heartbroken. Thanks for the love and support – I’m so delighted that so many people enjoyed watching us.”

He then went on to say that Strictly had “brought me more happiness than I ever imagined”, describing it as “life-changing” and “life-affirming”.

“There is something about taking big risks, performing, giving it everything, making yourself totally vulnerable and shedding the armour you normally use to survive that is exhilarating, liberating and inspiring,” Krishnan continued.

“Dancing is physically and emotionally unique. I had more fun than should normally be allowed on television.

“I owe the vast majority of it my stunning dance partner @laurenmayoakley who is brilliant in every way, funny, clever, caring, gorgeous and wise.

“She taught me with patience and trust, boosted me when I doubted, picked me up when I crumbled,” he gushed.

He then went on to share the inspiring work that Lauren has been a part of, which has included working in a care home.

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“If you want to understand the kind of person she is: when dance performance shut down during the pandemic Lauren worked in a care home, she dreams of running an animal sanctuary and she’s so fun she really ought to be presenting children’s (and family) television,” he wrote.

“She is an incredibly talented dancer, choreographer and producer. When we met she said she had one aim: to make me love dance. She succeeded in week one. And somehow we made it to week eight.

“It had to come to an end sooner or later – the others were just too good,” Krishnan admitted.

“They’re all lovely and talented. It was a very special team of people to be part of and we look after each other.

He then went on to praise the backstage crew, adding: “The Strictly production team are the best in entertainment. I’ve never felt more safe in other peoples’ hands. Going to wardrobe (especially wardrobe) and makeup and hair was always a joy.

Paying tribute to his family, he continued: “My beautiful wife Lisa supported me perfectly throughout, after being the first person to convince me to do the show.

“My talented daughter Jasmine cheered me on as only she can, my sceptical rockstar son Jay learned to love Strictly (and Claudia) almost as much as I did.

“I don’t quite know what happens now. Re-entry to normal life ain’t easy after something like Strictly. Especially when normal life is something as extraordinary as C4 News.

“The team there put up with me being semi-detached (to put it mildly) for the last two months. Thanks everyone. See u soon. Xx.” (sic)

Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday at 6.40pm on BBC One.