Strictly Come Dancing star Paul Merson has admitted his body was telling him 'it was the right time to go,' before he became the latest celebrity to depart the dancefloor during Sunday night's results show.

The former footballer, 56, and his pro partner Karen Hauer left the competition following a dance off against JB Gill and Amy Dowden during the fourth results show of the series.

Reflecting on his time in the competition on Sky Sports' Soccer Special on Tuesday, Paul gushed that he 'loved' it and he still feels like he has 'won'.

Paul said: 'I'm glad I did it. Yeah, I was pleased Sky let me do it, I've got to thank them for that, it was amazing.

'I loved doing it. It was good fun, it was probably just the right time, I'll probably just say the right time.'

Julian Warren asked the former sports star: 'The body was telling you that?,' to which he admitted: 'Yeah, my knee.

'My ankle's sore, but yeah I loved it. You know, I won because I can dance now, I didn't have a clue how to dance and I am a confident dancer now. I could get up and dance with anybody now.'

During Sunday night's dramatic dance off, both couples performed their routines again - Paul and his partner Karen, 42, performed their Samba to Car Wash by Rose Royce. 

Then, JB and his partner Amy, 34, performed their Jive to Hey Ya! by Outkast.

After both couples had danced for a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke choosing to save JB and Amy.

With three votes in favour of JB and Amy, they won the majority vote meaning that Paul and Karen would be leaving the competition.

Head Judge Shirley Ballas also agreed and said she would have decided to save JB and Amy.

When asked by host Tess Daly about their time on the show, Paul said: 'It's been really good. For anybody I talk to, I would say you've got to go on this show. It's amazing - everybody.

'There's a Tottenham fan over there called Lincoln and even he's nice!

'It's been amazing, honestly, amazing. I loved every minute of it, I've had a great teacher.

'She's been amazing, absolutely amazing and I couldn't wish for a better coach. I've loved every minute of it.

'I can dance now - I've won because I can dance, I couldn't dance before and I can half dance now. It's a bonus, absolute bonus.'

Karen then sweetly added: 'Absolutely, you've been a joy. I've never giggled this much. My abs are really tight now. I am so proud of you. Every week you have showed up, you have improved.

'You're what Strictly is about and I want to thank you for bringing such joy and just showing everyone that it is possible with a little bit of work and lots of giggles.'

Following his departure, Paul revealed he has 'history' with one of the Strictly Come Dancing judges during an appearance on BBC Two spin-off, It Takes Two on Monday.

Talking to presenter Fleur East, Paul revealed that he and Anton Du Beke have 'been to a few dos' together after she pointed out he scored him higher than the other judges. 

He said: 'I would have been disappointed if he weren't. I have been to a couple of dos with him before so I have met him before. He is a nice bloke Anton.'

Despite the link to a judge, it wasn't enough to save Paul from being booted out of the BBC dancing competition on Sunday.

Sunday's results show also featured a routine from the professional dancers, as Nancy Xu and Dianne Buswell took centre stage in a passionate Paso Doble.

Choreographed by Oti Mabuse, the number was set at a cantina in the heat of an arid highway somewhere in the Southern states to Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by Santa Esmeralda.

Plus there was a musical performance from Sophie Ellis-Bextor singing her new single Freedom Of The Night.

The remaining 11 couples will take to the dancefloor next week for the show' Halloween Special.

Strictly returns on Saturday October 26 at 6:25pm with the results show on Sunday at 7:20pm on BBC One and iPlayer.