Strictly Come Dancing fans have shared their thoughts on a new feature for 2026 as the first results show of the series aired on Sunday night (October 4). The first episode of the spin-off show Strictly: Lights Up was available on BBC iPlayer immediately after the results show ended.
First elimination of the series
During Sunday night’s results show celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton and his professional partner Amy Dowden were eliminated from the dance contest, making them the first couple to be leaving the competition. It was the second week of the BBC One TV series, which returned to our screens for the new season last month.
Chris and Amy were in the bottom two along with actress Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu after the judges scores from both this week and last were added, with these were then combined with the results of Saturday night’s public vote. They both had to take part in the dance-off.
Dance-off and new spin-off
Both couples performed their routines again, with Chris and Amy doing a cha cha to I’ll Be Ready from Baywatch before Jaime and Carlos did the same dance but to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman. The judges were unanimous with their decision to vote off Amy and Chris.
This year fans were treated to a behind the scenes reaction to the results show in a new spin-off programme called Strictly: Lights Up which was available on iPlayer after the credits started rolling. The show is hosted by Abi Clarke and Tyler West and includes interviews with the dancers who have been eliminated, the judges and the remaining contestants.
Fan reactions on X
In the inaugural episode Tyler interviewed Chris and Amy, who said that their journey was “over too soon”. Chris told Tyler that he was “Ok” and that nerves got the better of him.
Taking to X, some fans thought Strictly: Lights Up, was a great addition to this year’s series. X user @BeckyTheStan, wrote: “A good thing about this Lights Up show is that the judges have to explain their dance off decisions. Something we never got in previous seasons, so that's a positive.”
Another user, @lexfortezas, wrote: “I really like this lights up show ugh it’s awesome I wish this had been here before.” @reddevil1975 added: “Really enjoyed Strictly : Lights Up tonight with Tyler West and Abi Clarke on BBC iPlayer straight after.”
But not every fan enjoyed it. X user @AthonTony wrote: “After all that build for #Strictly Lights Up, being more backstage exclusive etc and getting raw reactions it was 15 mins of dull nothing? Reactions we already got, another pointless chat with judges and couples we already spoke too. Boring.”
