Strictly Come Dancing star Chris Appleton has shown off his body transformation after his time on the BBC show ended prematurely earlier this month. The celebrity hairstylist, whose clients include Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, was paired with professional dancer Amy Dowden for the 2026 series, which began in September.
Early exit from the competition
Appleton and Dowden became the first couple to leave the contest after landing in the dance-off in week two, following Movie Week at the start of October. They faced actress Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu, with both couples performing their routines again. Chris and Amy danced the cha cha to I’ll Be Ready from Baywatch, while Jaime and Carlos performed the same dance to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman.
The judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke – voted unanimously to save Jaime and Carlos, ending Chris and Amy's time in the competition.
Transformation revealed online
Despite the early exit, Appleton and Dowden appear to have remained close friends. Appleton, who is originally from Leicester, has since returned to the United States, where he was reunited with his children and his dog, Dash.
Sharing two side-by-side pictures online, Appleton revealed his progress, writing: "30 pounds down, before and after. I saw dancing as entertainment, but the physical side is something else." The post quickly drew supportive messages from followers, with one commenting: "Wow! Signing up for dance classes now," and another writing: "You look fab Chris! All that dancing with @amy_dowden has paid off!"
