Melanie Walters became the latest celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing during the third week of the hit BBC dancing competition. The 64-year-old actress, best known for playing Gwen in the BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, left the show on Sunday, October 11, alongside her professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec.
Elimination and reaction
Speaking to Melanie after her elimination, TV presenter Tyler West said she must be very proud of herself, to which she responded: "I'm so proud that I said yes to it because it's such an amazing opportunity. And also to feel the fear and do it anyway."
"So anyone who gets the opportunity, you have to say yes, because I've loved the last few weeks," she added. When Tyler asked if there is anything she might have done differently, Melanie joked: "I would've been better," before Aljaz cut in and said she had been "perfect".
Revealing what she plans to do now she has been eliminated, Melanie said: "I'm going to go and have a swim at home in the Mumbles."
Career highlights
Created by Ruth Jones and James Corden, Gavin and Stacey initially ran for three seasons upon its premiere back in 2007. The series returned for its first episode since 2019 on Christmas Day in 2024 as 19.11 million people tuned in to watch it. Gwen, Stacey's mum, played by Walters, got a happy ending of her own when it was revealed she was seeing Dave Coaches.
Her other roles over her decades-long career include playing Helen Powell in We are Seven, Bonnie Bevan in Hollyoaks between 2007 and 2009, and appearing in Death Valley in 2025 playing the role of Yvonne Mallowan.
The dance-off
In the second results show of the BBC One dance contest on Sunday night, Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec left the competition following a dance-off against Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr. Both couples performed during week three of Strictly's current run on Saturday night, October 10, and both struggled when it came to their scores.
Despite getting a score of 15 out of a possible 40 for his quickstep – which also left him at the bottom of the leaderboard – former footballer Shaun was told by judge Anton Du Beke he had "all the components to be a super, super dancer". Meanwhile, after finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard last week, Melanie performed a Charleston this week with partner Aljaz. Although Craig Revel Horwood said he loved the dance style, he told Melanie it "wasn't your thing" and they were awarded a total of 17 points.
Following the public vote, both couples landed in the dreaded dance-off and performed their routines again. Shaun and Alexis performed their Quickstep to I'm a Believer by The Monkees, before Melanie and Aljaz performed their Charleston to Ooh Ahh... Just A Little Bit by Gina G.
After both couples had danced, the judges delivered their verdicts. While Craig chose to save Shaun and Alexis, Motsi Mabuse chose to save Melanie and Aljaz, before head judge Shirley Ballas chose to save Shaun and Alexis. Anton – who this week was the judge with the deciding vote – saved Shaun and Alexis, meaning Melanie and Aljaz had to leave the competition.
Spin-off and next week
Their immediate reaction from the Strictly dance floor was featured in new spin-off, Strictly: Lights Up, hosted by Abi Clarke and Tyler West, which is available on BBC iPlayer from the moment the results show credits roll. Melanie and Aljaz will also join Ellie Taylor on Strictly - It Takes Two on Monday at 6:30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
Sunday night's results show also saw Shirley and Anton take to the floor as part of a special group performance, with two teams of professional dancers going head-to-head for glory in a Ballroom vs Latin showdown. There was also a performance from musician Jalen Ngonda of his song 'Burning Temptation', accompanied by professional dancers Neil Jones and Lethabo Monametsi.
The remaining thirteen couples will take to the dancefloor next week, when Strictly Come Dancing returns at 6:15pm on Saturday, October 17, for Icons Week.
