EastEnders actor Jake Wood escaped elimination from Strictly Come Dancing 2014 in tonight’s results show.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The contestants of Strictly Come Dancing 2014 [Picture: BBC / Kieron McCarron]The contestants of Strictly Come Dancing 2014 [Picture: BBC / Kieron McCarron] (Image: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) a...)

Jake, who plays Albert Square lothario Max Branning in the BBC One soap, scored three nines from the judges in Saturday’s live show.

He wowed the audience with his sizzling salsa to Mambo No 5 alongside professional partner Janette Manrara, whose choreography was dazzling, with Jake performing some adventurous lifts and drops.

They totalled 35 points out of a possible 40 on week two of the celebrity dance contest.

Having also impressed with his opening week tango, Hertfordshire-based actor Jake was never in any real danger of exiting the show at the first hurdle.

And the snake-hipped star from Tewin secured enough votes from the public to avoid the dreaded dance-off in Sunday night’s results show.

The EastEnders star’s American-born pro partner Janette (@JManrara) tweeted: “Still shocked at how much support @mrjakedwood & I have received! Thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart!

“Now it’s a new week, new dance!”

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid, who reached last year’s Strictly final, tweeted: “@JManrara @mrjakedwood @bbcstrictly never any doubt – might have been the dance of the series”

MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace and Mrs Brown’s Boys star Jenny Gibney had to dance again to stay in the competition.

And Wallace and Aliona Vilani’s Charleston lost out to the waltz of Jenny and Tristan McManus.

Having struck up a friendship with Gregg, Jake Wood (@mrjakedwood) was sorry to see the MasterChef star go.

Jake tweeted: “Sorry to see my mate @GreggAWallace go tonight, will miss the banter pal #topman #StrictlyCome Dancing”

His pro partner Janette Manrara also tweeted: “Very sad to have @GreggAWallace go tonight! You will always be a part of our @bbcstrictly family! We’ll miss you! #FunGuy”

The remaining 14 couples will dance again next Saturday.