Strictly Come Dancing has delivered one of its most controversial results of the series, with the ninth celebrity contestant voted off the show in a Musicals Week shocker.
The Dramatic Dance-Off
The quarter-final, which aired on Saturday 7th December 2025, concluded with an unexpected bottom two. Amber Davies and her partner Nikita Kuzmin found themselves facing Lewis Cope and his partner Katya Jones in the dreaded dance-off, despite Amber having topped the leaderboard.
In a historic and surprising twist, this made Amber the only person in Strictly history to receive a perfect score of 40 and still end up in a dance-off at this stage of the competition. After both couples performed their routines again, the judges unanimously chose to save Amber and Nikita, sealing Lewis's fate.
Fan Fury and Social Media Backlash
The elimination of Lewis Cope, widely considered a front-runner for the final, has sparked significant outrage among the show's dedicated viewers. Many took to social media to voice their disbelief and disappointment.
One furious fan declared on X, formerly Twitter, "#Strictly is done. It's an absolute joke. The best dancer ever in its history doesn't even make the Final! JOKE!" Another stated they were no longer interested in the show, having only watched for Lewis, while a third praised his eliminated salsa as "like a scene from Westside Story," calling his exit "an absolute travesty."
Amber Davies Hits Back at Critics
The result also intensified existing scrutiny over Amber Davies's background as a trained musical theatre actress, with some viewers questioning her place in the competition. Following the show, the former Love Island star addressed her critics directly on her Instagram story.
"Guys, please.. it's really is just a television show," she wrote. "I wasn't even supposed to be in the comp. You have no idea what we put our mind and body through for this experience.. I'm really just trying my best." She thanked supporters and urged people to be kind, adding: "The meanies are out to play."
The Semi-Final Line-Up
With Lewis's departure, just four couples now remain to battle it out in next week's semi-final. The surviving pairs are:
- Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin
- EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and her partner
- Social media influencer George Clarke and his partner
- Former footballer Karen Carney and her partner
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:35pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
