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Who Was the First Celebrity to Leave Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
The pair left after judges combined two weeks of scores and the public vote, then saved Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu in the dance-off.
- On Sunday, October 4, celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton and professional dancer Amy Dowden became the first couple eliminated from BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2026 after losing a dance-off against actor Jaime Winstone and pro Carlos Gu.
- Judges' scores from Movie Week were combined with Saturday's public vote to determine the bottom two couples. Appleton and Dowden performed a cha cha to "I'll Be Ready" but failed to impress judges who favored Winstone and Gu's routine.
- Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke unanimously voted to save Winstone and Gu. Craig Revel Horwood, who held the deciding vote, said he would have also saved the pair had he been required to vote.
- Dowden, eliminated first for the second consecutive year, said she was "heartbroken" but grateful for the friendship with Appleton. He called the experience "a whirlwind of emotion" and praised his partner's heart and passion.
- The remaining 14 couples will return to the dance floor next Saturday, October 10, competing for the Glitterball Trophy. Appleton and Dowden will appear on Strictly- It Takes Two on Monday at 6:30pm on BBC Two.
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24 Articles
24 Articles
The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)First celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Judges made a unanimous vote to save one couple in the first dance off of the series
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources24
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center15Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Center
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources are Center
71% Center
L 24%
C 71%
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