Strictly Come Dancing fans have said they are saying 'bye bye' to the 2026 series after being left 'disappointed' by Bethany Antonia's exit from the competition. The actress and her professional partner Nancy Xu became the sixth couple to be eliminated from the BBC One dance contest after being defeated in the dance-off during the results show on Sunday night (November 8).
Dance-off defeat
In a bid to stay in the competition, they reprised their foxtrot to Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis, which had scored them 30 on Saturday's (November 7) live show, putting them joint fourth on the leaderboard before public votes were taken into account.
They faced former Love Island contestant Cach Mercer and his partner Maddie Ingoldsby, who performed their waltz to That Ain't You by Mulaa Joans, which scored 26 on Saturday, putting them joint bottom of the leaderboard on judges' scores.
Judges' split decision
After both couples danced, judge Anton Du Beke chose to save Cach and Maddie, while fellow judges Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood voted to save Bethany and Nancy. Head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and saved Cach and Maddie, sending them through to week eight, and Bethany and Nancy home.
Strictly fans were saddened to see Bethany go. @GorkasJoe said: "Strictly can go ahead and wrap this season up and just try again next year." @strengthtodream commented: "I was already losing interest in this series (didn't even watch tonight) and now my one slim reason for watching is gone, so bye bye #Strictly for 2026 I guess."
Results show highlights and next week
Sunday's results show also commemorated Remembrance Sunday with a group performance from the Strictly professionals. The dance, set to the Peter Gabriel arrangement of David Bowie's Heroes, was choreographed by Lizzie Gough and opened with British soldiers leaving for war. It was inspired by The Monument To The Women Of World War II, focusing on the lives of women during the conflict.
The results show also featured music from Gregory Porter, accompanied by a routine from professional dancers Alexis Warr and Aljaz Skorjanec. Strictly will return on Saturday, November 14, at 6.25pm, with the results show airing on Sunday, November 15, at 7.15pm. It is hoped actress Jaime Winstone will return to the show next week, having missed Saturday's live show through injury.
