Strictly Come Dancing fans have spotted an 'uncomfortable' moment between professional dancer Amy Dowden and celebrity partner Chris Appleton moments before the pair became the first couple eliminated from the 2026 series. Welsh professional Amy, a cancer survivor, became the first pro dancer to leave the competition for the second year running on Sunday, as she and Chris fell into the bottom two on the public vote and faced off against actress Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu.
Awkward moment spotted
Fans of the BBC dance series noticed an awkward moment between Amy and celebrity hair stylist Chris at the end of their dance-off routine. As cameras zoomed in on the pair crumpled on the floor at the end of their final dance, Chris leaned into Amy and appeared to kiss her neck as Amy looked away.
One fan, @star_boi, said: "Anyone else find the way Chris nuzzled in to Amy or 'held' her uncomfortable?" Another, @chelseajade7426, said: "Did Chris kiss Amy on the neck at the end of the dance? bit odd!"
Fans criticise BBC over Amy's exit
Fans also criticised the BBC for not doing more to boost Amy's chances of lifting the Glitterball this year, following her being the first pro to leave in 2025 as well. @emzielangan said: "Second year in a row Amy has been the first to be eliminated. She is a wonderful person and a beautiful dancer. The BBC keep doing her dirty."
@zerkeymd said: "Amy deserves [so much] better next year." @britsandblobs said: "Amy out first two years in a row. She deserves a great person next year (if she stays)." @ryansoapking25 said: "I voted for others because there were better dancers than Chris but I'm still sad that Amy got knocked out first two years running. The fact that Amy Dowden has left Strictly Come Dancing in last place over the last two years is so sad and I really hope this isn't her last series. She was incredible in 2019 with Karim and missed out on making the final with JB in 2024 following her cancer scare."
Dance-off details
This week's judges' scores were added to those from last week's first live show, when there was no public vote, and then combined with the results of Saturday night's public vote to decide the two lowest-scoring couples who would face the dance-off. When he found out he was in the dance-off, Appleton told host Emma Willis: "I am going to go again, and I will try and bring a little more action."
Both couples performed their routines again, with Chris and Amy doing a cha cha to I'll Be Ready from Baywatch before Winstone and Gu did the same dance but to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman. When it came to choose who to save, judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all chose to save Winstone and Gu, who won last season with former footballer Karen Carney. Craig Revel Horwood, who was the judge with the deciding vote this week, said that he would have also saved the same couple as the rest of the judges if he had needed to vote.
Reactions after elimination
After his elimination, Chris said: "I think it's been such a whirlwind of emotion. I'm 43 and I got good at doing what I did – which is hair. To come and do something like this, I felt so out of my comfort zone and saw myself in a way I never saw myself, and it challenged me in ways I never knew I could be challenged. The most important thing I think I will take from this show is having a friend in Amy because I genuinely love her and I am so grateful I met someone who has so much heart and passion. I only wish I could have done better for her because she deserves to go further in the competition, but we did put everything into it."
Amy added: "Although it was only two weeks, watching Chris grow in confidence, that is what I will take away. Obviously I am heartbroken and this seems to be my luck the last few years, but my heart is only breaking because I don't get to dance with him on Monday… but I do get a friend for life." Amy was also eliminated first last season after being paired with The Apprentice contestant and businessman Thomas Skinner. Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC One.
