The first Strictly Come Dancing elimination of 2026 saw Welsh professional dancer Amy Dowden and her celebrity partner Chris Appleton voted off the contest on Sunday, October 4.
The pair found themselves in the dance-off alongside 2025 winner Carlos Gu and his partner Jaime Winstone. It is the second year in a row Amy has been the first to leave the competition.
Dance-off decision
Following Movie week on Saturday, October 3, when the 15 couples performed routines to popular film scores, the judges' scores were added to those from the previous week's first live show, which had no public vote. These were then combined with the results of Sunday night's public vote.
After landing in the bottom two, both couples performed their routines again. Chris and Amy danced their Cha Cha to I'll Be Ready from Baywatch, while Jaime and Carlos performed their Cha Cha to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman.
Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke all chose to save Jaime and Carlos, meaning Amy and Chris would leave. Craig Revel Horwood, who had the deciding vote this week, said he would also have saved Jaime and Carlos.
Amy's emotional reaction
Speaking after the decision, 36-year-old Amy, who left the competition first last year with The Apprentice's Tom Skinner, said: "Obviously I'm heartbroken, this seems to have been my luck the past few years but you know what, my heart is only breaking because I don't get to dance with you (Chris) on Monday but I've got a friend for life and that's what's going to heal my broken heart."
The verdict left fans devastated, with many taking to X - formerly Twitter - to share their thoughts. One said: "Poor Amy again." A second added: "I hope Amy gets a better partner next year."
A third wrote: "Amy going home in week 2 for a second year??? this needs to be corrected next year!!!" While another commented: "So gutted for Amy!!! 2 years running ughh!!"
Results show highlights
Following the results show, viewers could tune into the first episode of Strictly: Lights Up, hosted by Abi Clarke and Tyler West, on BBC iPlayer for reaction to the decision.
Sunday night's results show also featured a The Devil Wears Prada routine from the Strictly Professionals, featuring Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood, plus a special performance from Matilda The Musical, with the four young performers who play Matilda singing Quiet alongside composer Tim Minchin.
Meanwhile, fans were left issuing the same complaint within minutes of Saturday's live episode kicking off. The programme opened with a professionals' routine, featuring the dancers delivering a Zootropolis-themed performance to Shakira's Try Everything and Zoo. The pros were led by newcomer Lethabo Monametsi, whose "mesmerising" stage presence had fans completely captivated.
This prompted viewers to voice frustrations about Lethabo not being allocated a celebrity partner this series. "I've seen enough give Lethabo a partner next year," one person insisted on X. Another chimed in: "Lethabo is INCREDIBLE!! I wish she'd been given a partner, what a star she is!!" A third declared: "Lethabo is mesmerising to watch and we only get to see her in group dances."
Amy and Chris will be chatting to Ellie Taylor on Monday's spin-off show. Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
