Strictly Come Dancing fans have labelled the first results show of the 2026 series 'very unfair' after the bottom-four format left two safe couples without their usual moment in the Clauditorium. The show, broadcast on Sunday October 4, saw the first dance-off and elimination of the season.
Movie Week arrives early
On Saturday night (October 3), Movie Week arrived earlier than ever in the BBC One dance show's ballroom, with the 15 couples returning for the second live show of the season. They performed routines inspired by classic films, award-winning blockbusters, musicals and cartoons.
The couples performed their second routines of the 2026 series, hoping to impress as their week one and two scores would be combined with the public vote ahead of the first dreaded dance-off and elimination in Sunday's results show. This week's judges' scores were added to those from the first live show, when there was no public vote, and then combined with the results of Saturday night's public vote to decide the two lowest-scoring couples.
First elimination confirmed
Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden became the first couple to leave Strictly's 2026 series, despite a plea from fans to keep them in the competition following the professional dancer's early exit last year. After their dances in the first two weeks failed to impress the judges, the pair left following a Movie Week dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu.
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. Judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all chose to save Jaime and Carlos, who won last year's season with former footballer Karen Carney. Craig Revel Horwood, who had the deciding vote this week, said he would have also saved the same couple if he had needed to vote.
Fans criticise bottom-four format
However, it was when Emma Willis was revealing who was safe for another week that fans pointed out an issue. They were unimpressed that the two couples facing the dance-off were told right at the end when left in a pool of just four couples, with the results being revealed in three parts and split between chats with the judges, a pro performance, and a guest musical act.
As was the case last year, the two couples who made it through but were left until the end to have their place in next week's show confirmed didn't get to chat to Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe in the 'Clauditorium', much to the disappointment of fans. @MonsterMcD said: "Hate how they're doing the last 4 thing again, let the ones who are through have their moments!! #Strictly." @ultimatesugg commented: "Oh ffs, they're doing the whole bottom 4 again, aren't they? the one thing that actually needed changing... #Strictly." @LeahXBarnes wrote: "Hate the bottom 4 way change it back #strictly."
@ffion_sheppard_ shared: "Not a huge fan of the bottom four format though! doesn't give much chance for the last two couples to be happy they've made it through! #strictly." @strictlylmx posted: "So they still haven't stopped this final 4 where the two safe ones don't even get to speak to jojo like everyone else. seems very unfair." @LucyDBLanguage added: "#Strictly so the last two saved couples aren't interviewed? Rubbish. And yet they make the show 50 mins long."
