Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left in disbelief on Sunday night as one of the series' highest-scoring celebrities, Lewis Cope, was sent home in a dramatic dance-off that visibly horrified the judging panel.
Judges' Pained Reaction Captured
The former Emmerdale actor found himself in the dreaded bottom two alongside fellow contestant Amber Davies during the results show on 7 December 2025. Despite both celebrities having consistently earned some of the highest marks from the judges throughout the competition, only one could be saved.
Fans quickly took to social media to share a telling screengrab from the broadcast. The image showed judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas with their heads buried in their hands following Cope's final performance, a reaction that spoke volumes about their dismay.
The photo was captioned: "Motsi and Shirley’s reaction after Lewis’ dance off says it all #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing."
A Controversial Decision Sparks Fan Fury
While all four judges unanimously voted to save Amber Davies, their sadness at eliminating Lewis was palpable. The decision has ignited a fierce debate among the show's dedicated fanbase.
One devastated supporter commented online: "Semi final will be flat and won't be worth watching now as the dancers left in won't come up to anywhere near Lewis and Katya standard. They had something special."
Another argued the fairness of the outcome, writing: "Such a wrong decision, I like amber but she is from musical theatre where he’s not. I hope he continues and shines the dancer and performer he truly is."
The incident has highlighted the ongoing tension between the judges' scores and the public vote. A third viewer noted: "It's all about balance. The public vote for their favourites; the judges then vote the better dancer through."
The 'Journey' Debate and Lewis's Dance Background
Some viewers suggested Cope's exit was predictable, citing the show's tradition of favouring celebrities on a visible "journey" of improvement over naturally gifted performers.
"Some of us want to see people on a 'journey' still. To see people improve each week. To find their confidence," one fan explained, defending their support for other contestants.
Lewis Cope had previously addressed his dance experience, insisting it hadn't given him an advantage. Before his acting career, he performed in the hit musical Billy Elliot and was part of the dance troupe Ruff Diamond, which finished as runners-up on Sky's Got to Dance in 2013.
His departure marks one of the most surprising eliminations of the current series, proving that on Strictly Come Dancing, high scores are no guarantee of safety when the public vote comes into play.
