COUNTDOWN presenter Rachel Riley said she had fun performing on Strictly Come Dancing at the weekend, despite her routine being criticised by the show’s judges.

Rachel, 27, from Thorpe Bay, did a salsa routine with her dance partner Pasha Kovalev on the Saturday evening show, but the routine scored just 20 points.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood said: “I thought you were wriggling around like a slug in salt actually”, but Rachel responded undeterred: “I had fun”.

Dragons Den star Deborah Meaden, who is also a contestant, gave her a hug after the criticism.

Rachel’s mum Celia, from Southend, said: “She was quite pleased with the performance, as it is a short turnaround for someone who couldn’t dance at all and it’s been a heavy schedule for her.

“She said she had great fun doing it and the camaraderie between the contests is fantastic.

Deborah gave her a lovely hug when she heard the comments from Craig and now it’s onwards and upwards.”