Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden, the first couple eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2026, have left fans 'obsessed' after sharing a Dirty Dancing-inspired routine they performed together after their exit.
Reunion in the training room
The pair reunited in the training room to bring the iconic Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey scene from Dirty Dancing to life, performing the famous '(I've had) The Time of my Life' routine.
Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden were the first couple to leave the competition after Movie Week arrived in week two of the 2026 series. They landed in the dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu, during which both couples performed their routines again.
Dance-off details
Chris and Amy performed a cha cha to I'll Be Ready from Baywatch, while Jaime and Carlos danced to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman. The judges - Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke - unanimously voted to save Jaime and Carlos.
It was the second consecutive year that Amy had been the first to be voted off, after finishing in the bottom two with Thomas Skinner during the previous edition of the show.
Fans and co-stars react
Chris captioned the Instagram video: "Couldn't hang up my dancing shoes without attempting THAT lift. Amy I've had the time of my life." Amy commented: "You mentioned dirty dancing and that lift every day! We had to do it! Miss you already! Also how you managed to do that lift over 50 times and not drop me once xxxx love you my friend."
Their Strictly co-stars also responded. Jaime wrote "Love you both so much," while Carlos commented "love thissss!" Lacey Turner said "This makes me so happy," Lauren Oakley wrote "I'm OBSESSED! You guys," and Alison Hammond cheered "Yes Chris."
