Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu have become the latest couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing, after head judge Shirley Ballas used her deciding vote to save Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby.
The result was announced on Sunday night's (November 8) results show, which opened with a group routine from the Strictly Professionals in tribute to Remembrance Sunday.
Remembrance tribute and bottom two
Choreographed by Lizzie Gough and set to the Peter Gabriel arrangement of Heroes, the dance depicted British soldiers departing for war and drew inspiration from The Monument to the Women of World War II, highlighting the lives of women during the conflict.
Hosts Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe then revealed the outcome of the latest public vote. Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu were placed in the bottom two alongside former Love Island star Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby.
Both couples performed again, with Bethany and Nancy dancing a Foxtrot to Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis, and Cach and Maddie a Waltz to That Ain't You by Mulaa Joans.
Judges' split decision
Anton Du Beke said: "Everybody's good, that's the problem we've go at the moment. The thing I liked about the couple I voted for is they moved more powerfully across the floor."
Motsi added: "Both couples in my books should not belong here in this dance off and you're both talented people."
Anton Du Beke saved Cach and Maddie, while Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse chose to save Bethany and Nancy. Head judge Shirley Ballas held the casting vote this week, opting to save Cach and Maddie, which meant Bethany and Nancy were eliminated.
Viewer reaction
Viewers voiced their frustration on social media. One user wrote: "Massive controversy tonight on Strictly with Shirley saving Cach over Bethany when she made it clear Cach isn’t even able to do fundamental steps in routines. Makes no sense."
Another added: "I feel so awful for Bethany and Nancy. There were 4 couples worse than them last night but they're in yet another dance off, they haven't even had an interview on the results show since the start of the series."
One person commented: "The two couples who were up are both brilliant dancers. Disgraceful they are up for elimination." Another fan posted: "Honestly so gutted for Bethany and Nancy. Not sure what the judges were thinking. Dreadful decision!"
Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday at 6.25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
