Chris Appleton has broken his silence after becoming the first contestant to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing. The celebrity hairstylist, 43, left the BBC dancing competition after failing to impress with his cha cha cha to the Baywatch theme tune with his professional dance partner Amy Dowden, 36.
The pair left the competition following a movie week dance-off in the second live show against actress Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu.
Viewers accuse producers of 'set-up'
Viewers shared their dismay over Appleton’s exit, with some accusing producers of “setting him up” by placing him at the start of the show and giving him a “lame” song.
“Making Chris dance about two hours ago and letting Shaun [Wright-Phillips] close the show... oh, this feels like a set up,” one wrote on X.
“Strictly screwed over Chris. Could've done a glamorous #DevilWearsPrada vs the lame #Baywatch song!” another added, and a third agreed: “The whole show is fixed.”
Appleton's response and dance highlights
Amid the controversy, Appleton took to his Instagram Stories on Sunday to share a highlights reel of his and Dowden’s Baywatch dance. The clip showed him sliding on his knees across the dance floor to Dowden, twirling her and spinning her around the stage and slow-motion running with her in a move that has become synonymous with the ‘90s US action-drama series.
He also shared a video of their dance on his feed, writing, “Baywatch but make it ballroom,” on which Dowden commented: “Improving and that’s what it’s about partner xxx.”
The couple was sent home after their dances on the first two weeks of the show failed to impress the judges.
Last week’s judges’ scores were added to those from the first live show, when there was no public vote, and were then combined with the results of Saturday night’s public vote to decide the two lowest-scoring couples who would face the dance-off.
Elimination and reactions
When he found out he was in the dance-off, Appleton told host Emma Willis: “I am going to go again, and I will try and bring a little more action.”
Both couples performed their routines again – with Appleton and Dowden doing a cha cha to I’ll Be Ready from Baywatch before Winstone and Gu did the same dance but to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman.
When it came to choose who to save, judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all chose to save Winstone and Gu – who won last season with former footballer Karen Carney.
Craig Revel Horwood – who was the judge with the deciding vote this week – said that he would have also saved the same couple as the rest of the judges if he had needed to vote.
After his elimination, Appleton said: “I think it’s been such a whirlwind of emotion. I’m 43 and I got good at doing what I did – which is hair. To come and do something like this, I felt so out of my comfort zone and saw myself in a way I never saw myself, and it challenged me in ways I never knew I could be challenged.
“I am very grateful for everyone who has been involved. It’s been so amazing to be part of something that I grew up watching and got to be a part of it.
“The most important thing I think I will take from this show is having a friend in Amy because I genuinely love her and I am so grateful I met someone who has so much heart and passion.
“I only wish I could have done better for her because she deserves to go further in the competition, but we did put everything into it.”
Dowden added: “Although it was only two weeks, watching Chris grow in confidence, that is what I will take away. Obviously I am heartbroken and this seems to be my luck the last few years, but my heart is only breaking because I don’t get to dance with him on Monday… but I do get a friend for life.”
Posting a series of photos with Appleton minutes after the show, Dowden wrote on Instagram: “I honestly don’t think words can quite describe how proud I am of you. Seeing your Strictly journey come to an end is emotional, but what I’ll treasure most isn’t the result, it’s the friendship, memories and special moments we’ve shared along the way.
“I know unfortunately only too well heartbreak. But I also know that the reason it hurts so much is because of the friendship and bond we’ve formed and that’s something that isn’t going anywhere.
“From the nerves, the laughter and the endless rehearsals to the moments when things felt tough, you gave everything you had. You showed such heart, determination and kindness, and it has been an absolute privilege to share this journey with you.”
Dowden said their time on the show may have ended but their friendship “certainly hasn’t”.
“Chris, you should be incredibly proud of yourself. Thank you for every laugh, every memory, every hug and for simply being you,” she added.
Show details and background
The first results show of this season of Strictly also featured a The Devil Wears Prada routine from the Strictly Professionals, plus a performance from Matilda The Musical, with the four young performers who play Matilda singing Quiet alongside composer Tim Minchin.
Throughout his career, Appleton has worked with stars including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Sofia Vergara, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.
He and Dowden had performed a tango on their first week of the contest – receiving a score of 16 from the judges.
After performing during movie week, the judges scored them 17 for their cha-cha-cha.
Both Mabuse and Du Beke noticed the hair stylist had shown a “huge improvement” from the first week.
“The performance was another level, and the dancing will keep improving if you keep at it,” Du Beke said.
Speaking soon after finishing the routine, Appleton said he “did not want to let Amy down”, adding: “I am really trying but also really enjoying it.”
Dowden was also eliminated first last season after being paired with The Apprentice contestant and businessman Thomas Skinner. Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC One.
