Actress Melanie Walters has officially departed Strictly Come Dancing after finding herself in the dance-off alongside her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec. On Sunday night (October 11), BBC audiences witnessed the Gavin and Stacey star compete against footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips following the pair receiving the fewest votes from the public.
Dance-Off Decided by Judges
Both couples returned to the dance floor on the BBC programme to battle for their place in the competition, with spectators watching Shaun and Alexis deliver their Quickstep to I'm a Believer by The Monkees. Melanie and Aljaž then took their turn, performing their Charleston to Ooh Ahh... Just A Little Bit by Gina G.
When the moment arrived to announce their decisions, Craig Revel Horwood opted to save Shaun and Alexis, while Motsi Mabuse chose to retain Melanie and Aljaž in the competition. Head judge Shirley Ballas decided to save Shaun and Alexis, as did Anton du Beke, who held the decisive vote this weekend.
Emotional Farewell
Shaun and Alex immediately embraced Melanie and Aljaž as they exited the programme before speaking with Emma Willis regarding their journey in the competition and their feelings following elimination.
Melanie said: "To tell you the truth, no word of a lie, I thought I was going to be out last week, so I've had an extra week with this beautiful soul."
Aljaz added: "It's difficult to put into words, and if I was ever going to say something really profound and beautiful, it wasn't going to be looking like this. Look, you're an ultimate professional in what you do; that's why you're so successful at what you do. You showed me what hard work really is and what hard work really means. Look, we started every day with, 'Partner, let's have the best day ever'. So I want to finish this for us with a huge and thank you for every single bit in rehearsals and every single step on that floor. Thank you, very much."
Fan Reactions and What's Next
Expressing their reactions online to Melanie's departure, one person on X stated: "Devastated at who has gone, I really thought they had potential." Another commented: "Melanie over Shaun is laughable"
Melanie and Aljaž will appear alongside Ellie Taylor on Monday's edition of Strictly - It Takes Two on BBC Two (October 12), where they will discuss their experience in the competition further. Meanwhile, during the results programme, judges Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke took to the floor as part of a special group routine. BBC audiences witnessed two teams of professional dancers competing for victory in a Ballroom versus Latin battle.
The remaining 13 couples will return to the dance floor once more next Saturday (October 17) for Icons Week, where they'll be transforming into some very recognisable famous faces. Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturdays on BBC One from 6:15pm.
