Strictly’s Maisie Smith rocks glittery face mask at It Takes Two filming with pro Gorka Marquez

She received her highest score yet on Saturday but still found herself in the dreaded dance-off.

And Maisie Smith seemed to be putting the result behind her as she channeled some ballroom glamour and donned a sparkling silver face mask on Monday.

The Strictly Come Dancing star, 19, looked relaxed as she arrived for It Takes Two filming at Elstree Studios in London with her pro partner Gorka Marquez, 30.

Maisie cut a casual figure as she headed inside wearing a figure-hugging grey maxi dress and some white trainers.

She also added a padded white jacket with a black zip trim to her ensemble to ensure she stayed warm in the chilly temperatures.

Always one to look her best, Maisie ensured her auburn locks were tied back and completed her pre-show look with the eye-catching face covering.

Gorka also opted for a relaxed outfit, donning a checked shirt and jeans as he walked slightly behind his celeb dancing partner.

The professional dancer also ensured he stayed safe during the COVID-19 pandemic by wearing a black face mask. 

Also seen at the studios were Caroline Quentin and pro Johannes Radebe, who became the fourth pairing eliminated from the show on Sunday night.

Caroline caught the eye in her statement face covering, which boasted a bright rainbow love heart sticker on the front of a plastic face shield.

It comes after Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood threw his support behind Maisie, after she landed in the bottom two twice this series.

Judge Craig, 55, shared his belief that the actress may be struggling to soar because she ‘needs to the win the hearts of the nation’, as he compared her to 2007 champ Alesha Dixon.

During an appearance on ITV’s This Morning on Monday, Craig said: ‘Maisie is fantastic, she just needs to win the hearts and minds of the nation. 

‘I remember Alesha Dixon was in the bottom a few times and then she ended up winning and becoming a judge. I’m hoping it’s a slow burner and that’s the case. She’s a lovely girl and I really want to see her go through.’ 

Britain’s Got Talent star Alesha, 42, won the popular BBC ballroom contest with dance partner Matthew Cutler in 2007, before replacing Arlene Phillips as a judge on the show for a single series in 2009.

Just over a week ago, Maisie narrowly avoided elimination after facing Max George and Dianne Buswell in the dance off, and then she once again landed in the bottom two alongside Caroline during Sunday’s results show. 

The star narrowly avoided the chop after scoring 27 points, her highest score yet, for her sizzling salsa to Meghan Trainor’s Better When I’m Dancing. 

Judges Craig, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke – who filled in for Motsi Mabuse while she self-isolates – unanimously chose to save Maisie after awarding her high scores on Saturday.

But Strictly fans were left questioning how the soap actress and her professional partner Gorka Marquez even found themselves in the bottom two in the first place.   

The floods of fuming comments come soon after Kevin Clifton claimed that Maisie was a victim of sexism after landing in the dance-off for the first time last Sunday.

Kevin, who danced with Maisie in the 2019 Children In Need special, shared his shock and his theory on why it had happened. 

Taking to Twitter last Monday, he wrote: ‘People love a confident/ talented/ successful man but a confident girl gets labelled cocky.’

Last week’s close call reportedly left Maisie feeling shaken and she apparently had to be comforted by her fellow Strictly co-stars after taking the vote ‘to heart’.

A source told The Sun: ‘Poor Maisie has been so upset – she’s been crying all night and has really taken it to heart. She’s young and living away from home for the first time so it’s hard on her.’

The insider went on to say that the young actress had the support of her fellow celebrity contestants and professional dancers as they attempted to cheer her up. 

This week, the actress secured her highest score of the season after last week’s Cha Cha, which scored her a respectable 24 points from the judges.

But unfortunately for Maisie, Gorka nearly dropped her after she backflipped during the salsa.

All three judges pointed out the slip-up, with Craig Revel Horwood saying: ‘It was a bit unfortunate about the bad landing but I’m blaming your partner.’

But Gorka, 30, held his hands up and admitted that it was solely his fault.

Anton Du Beke deemed the dance ‘marvellous’ and ‘terrific’ regardless and the judges awarded them a trio of 9s.