Martina Hingis kicked off Strictly Come Dancing

Martina Hingis leaves Strictly as new judge Alesha Dixon insists: 'I won't quit'

Tennis star Martina Hingis was the shock first dancer to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.

The former Wimbledon champion had her game, set and match on Saturday night's show after panel judge Len Goodman made the final choice to give Hingis the boot.

The two pairs at the bottom of the voting ladder were Hingis and her partner Matthew Cutler, and Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding and his

partner Aliona Vilani, and both were forced to dance again to keep their spot in the competition.

The final decision saw Hingis leave the series. ‘It was a great experience, I learned so much,' said the tennis star. ‘I wish it would continue but here we are. Maybe I will come back for a few more lessons to London.'

Hingis and the BBC took criticism for joining the Strictly celebrity line-up as the tennis player is currently banned from playing professional tennis for cocaine abuse.

Meanwhile new panel judge and former Strictly contestant, Alesha Dixon, has already created a stir after criticism from fans of the show that she lacks the technical know-how to pass comment on the performances.

Some disgruntled viewers who flooded internet messageboards have even claimed Dixon should quit the job.

The singer has hit back at the negative press, insisting she will bring more to the table than former judge Arlene Phillips ever did, thanks to her turn as a contestant on the show.

Speaking to The Mirror yesterday, Alesha maintained: ‘I am not a quitter. It's not in my nature to consider quitting.

‘We are just starting on a long road and I know I can help make the path smoother for some of the celebs.'

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