Strictly Come Dancing fans have admitted they are 'gutted' as the first duo to leave the competition were seen saying a final goodbye ahead of the next live show. However, they proved that their dancing journey away from the programme is far from over.
First elimination of the 2026 series
Celebrity hairstylist Chris and his professional dance partner, Amy Dowden, were forced to leave the BBC One dance competition following the first elimination of the 2026 series over the weekend.
It came after Movie Week arrived earlier than ever in the BBC One dance show's famous ballroom in week two on Saturday night (October 3), with the 15 couples returning to the dancefloor for the second live show of the season to perform routines inspired by a range of classic films, award-winning blockbusters, musicals and cartoons.
To decide who was safe for another week, and who had to fight for their place on the show, the latest judges' scores were added to those from the first live show of the series, 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 in Sunday's (October 4) results show.
Dance-off and emotional reaction
It was Chris and Amy who left the show following a movie week dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu, during which both couples performed their routines again, with Chris and Amy doing a cha cha to I'll Be Ready from Baywatch before Jaime and Carlos did the same dance but to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman.
Speaking to host Emma Willis immediately after the judges' decision, Amy said she was "heartbroken" to no longer be dancing with Chris, and referenced her "luck" after also leaving the competition first last year.
Final message and fan reaction
Now, having made an emotional appearance on Strictly's BBC Two spin-off, It Takes Two, earlier this week, Chris and Amy have been seen delivering a final message to fans. "Thank you so much, everybody, for supporting Chris and me along our journey," Amy began. Chris commented: "We've had a blast. And we felt the love, and really happy that you guys enjoyed watching me and Amy as much as being in her presence, because she's a really special woman."
He turned to Amy and added: "I'm very honoured to have been on this journey with you. I wouldn't have wanted it to be with anyone else," to which the Welsh dancer replied: "Ditto!" The post on Strictly's Instagram account was captioned: "A final goodbye from Chris & Amy as their #Strictly journey comes to an end," and fans were quick to respond.
@paddy_barks said: "Loved you 2 didn’t want you to go out . Disappointed for you both." @k88tyj commented: "So sad! Their partnership and chemistry were amazing—we needed to see more of their journey." @viksull replied: "You two fill my heart. So sad your Strictly journey has ended so soon."
@sydness99 wrote: "So gutted!!! Both of you were incredible & smashed it every week!!! I can’t wait to see this friendship grow & evolve @chrisappleton1 @amy_dowden." @hels_lou_bells added: "Still gutted!! I voted for them and should have been in longer! Chris seems a really nice guy and at least we got to see him even if was a short time."
However, taking to his own TikTok page, Chris shared a video of himself and Amy reuniting to enjoy time on British soil together, with Chris having returned from America to take part in the show, and as they showed off their best dance moves in public, he said: "
