Catherine Tyldesley has been eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing.

The Walkden actress and her professional partner Johannes Radebe received their marching orders from the BBC competition during Sunday's results show.

The pair were voted off after a dance-off against Mike Bushell and his partner Katya Jones.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Bushell and Jones as he thought they "really stepped it up a notch", while both Motsi Mabuse and Bruno Tonioli opted to keep Tyldesley and Radebe in the competition.

Head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and chose to save Bushell and Jones.

Tyldesley said: "I never thought I'd say this, I'm going to keep it up because I fell in love with it.

"I've loved every second, this man has changed my life."

She also told how she was "low on body confidence" and doubted her ability to do well on Strictly, but that the show taught her what she can achieve.

The former Coronation Street star said she'd had "extremely low" expectations for what she could achieve on the dancefloor, but wanted to do something for herself and fellow mums "who found it hard to look in the mirror and love what they saw".

Tyldesley, who has a four-year-old son, credited her dance partner Johannes Radebe with boosting her confidence, saying what he gave her was "priceless".

Sharing a picture on Instagram of the pair in tears after being sent home, the actress said: "My husband took this picture when we had a good cry afterwards. Tears of joy and appreciation for each other. I love this man so much.

"WHAT a journey!!

"Thank you all for your messages, your love and support.

"Thank you Bbc for this opportunity."

Tyldesley said when she started her Strictly journey, her confidence "was low".

She continued: "My belief in what I could achieve on the show was extremely low.

"The expectations on my humble body - beyond low.

"What @johannesradebe gave me was priceless.

"Confidence, Belief, Love - and Laughter beyond words!"

"This man is a gift to the world," she said.

"If there were more people like him the world would be spectacular (with shed loads of #Sas!)

"He taught me how to walk in high heels, he taught me how to 'own it'... he taught me to love and appreciate what my body could achieve.

"I'm often low on body confidence - but I'm so proud of the limits that I've thoroughly pushed on this wonderful journey. I did it for me."

The star said she "also did it for the hundreds of mums out there who felt they'd lost a little bit of themselves, the women out there who'd become negative about their body. The women who found it hard to look in the mirror and love what they saw".

She said: "I'm proud of my body and my mind for getting me through this wonderful but incredibly tough experience.

"Push your limits ladies and be grateful for everything you're wonderful body can achieve.

"Dance like NOBODY is watching."

Former soap boyfriend Shayne Ward said he was "gutted" as she was eliminated from Strictly.

The stars' Coronation Street characters Eva Price and Aidan Connor were once engaged.

As Tyldesley was sent home from the BBC dance competition on Sunday, Ward said he was sorry to see her go.

He said his former castmate on the cobbles had "lit up" the screen during her turn on the dancefloor.

"NOOOOOOOOOO @Cath_Tyldesley Johannes #gutted," he wrote on Twitter.

"You have both been amazing to watch.

"I am so proud of you cath. You got to live your dream of dancing on @bbcstrictly.

"Your hard work, dedication & smile lit up my tv screen every wknd.

"Sending love #soproud."

Saffron Barker said on Instagram: "Really going to miss you What a beautiful pair xxx."

"What a woman," posted Kelvin Fletcher.

Presenter Gethin Jones said he was "gutted", while Samia Longchambon said Tyldesley and Radebe were "an amazing team".

"You should be so proud of what you achieved Cath," said the Corrie actress.

Actress and former contestant Chizzy Akudolu tweeted: "So sad to see you go.

"Cry as much as you need to. It's such a brilliant show and to suddenly no longer be a part of it is heartbreaking.

"Just know you've made a hell of a lot of people very happy, week after week."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One.