Actress Alex Kingston's dream run on Strictly Come Dancing has come to an end, as she became the eighth celebrity to be voted off the BBC One show. The 62-year-old star and her professional partner, Johannes Radebe, 38, were eliminated following a tense dance-off on Sunday night, 1 December 2025.
The Fateful Dance-Off
The duo found themselves in the bottom two against EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and her partner, Julian Caillon. Each pair had to re-perform their routines from the previous evening's live show. Alex and Johannes danced their Cha Cha Cha to Anita Ward's 'Ring My Bell', while their competitors performed a Jive to 'Right Back Where We Started From' by Maxine Nightingale.
The judges' vote was split. Anton Du Beke chose to save Alex and Johannes. However, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both voted to save Balvinder and Julian. With the power of the casting vote, head judge Shirley Ballas agreed with the latter, sealing Alex Kingston's fate and sending her home from the competition.
A Heartfelt Goodbye on Social Media
Following her exit, the Doctor Who and ER star took to Instagram to share an emotional statement with her fans and supporters. She reflected on her incredible journey, which came just a year after undergoing radiotherapy.
"Strictly had been the journey of a lifetime and such a dream come true," Alex penned. "If you had told me a year ago while in the midst of radiotherapy that a year later I’d be on Strictly Come Dancing I wouldn’t have believed you! I’m so proud of everything Johannes and I have accomplished, and so grateful to my body for getting me this far. It was always my dream to get to dance with Jo Jo and dance we did!"
She went on to thank her fans and praised her "kind" dance partner. Johannes Radebe responded in the comments with a touching message of his own, writing "Love you more" alongside a heart emoji.
Looking Ahead to Musicals Week
Alex Kingston's elimination means that Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon will progress to the highly anticipated Musicals Week. The remaining couples will now face the challenge of performing iconic numbers from the world of theatre as the competition for the Glitterball Trophy intensifies.
While her time in the ballroom has concluded, Alex's graceful exit and powerful message about resilience have left a lasting impression on the Strictly Come Dancing audience, marking the end of a memorable chapter in the show's 2025 series.
