Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton and professional dancer Amy Dowden are the first couple eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2026. The pair exited during Sunday night’s results show after a tense Movie Week dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu.
The elimination was decided by combining scores from Saturday’s Movie Week episode with the opening live broadcast, where no public vote took place. These figures were then merged with the public vote from Saturday night to determine the two lowest-scoring couples.
The Dance-Off and Judges’ Verdict
Faced with elimination, both couples performed their Cha Cha routines a second time. Appleton and Dowden danced to “I’ll Be Ready” from Baywatch, while Winstone and Gu performed to “Oh, Pretty Woman” from Pretty Woman.
Judges Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke voted unanimously to save Winstone and Gu. Because three judges voted to save Winstone, Craig Revel Horwood did not need to cast a vote. However, Revel Horwood noted that he would have also saved Winstone if a tiebreaker had been necessary.
Appleton’s routine earned 17 points from the judges, a marginal increase from the 16 points he received during his opening-week tango. Despite the low score, judges noted an upward trajectory in his technical development. Mabuse and Du Beke both acknowledged a clear improvement in his frame and execution, with Du Beke describing the performance as reaching “another level” despite remaining technical errors.
Speaking immediately after his routine, Appleton expressed his gratitude and determination. “I did not want to let Amy down,” he said. “I am really trying but also really enjoying it.”
Impact on Amy Dowden and Show Highlights
The early exit is a frustrating blow to professional dancer Amy Dowden, who was looking forward to a full-season return after recent health and injury battles. Dowden missed the 2023 series following a breast cancer diagnosis and faced further setbacks during the following season due to foot and shin injuries.
Sunday’s results show also featured a professional group routine inspired by The Devil Wears Prada, alongside a special musical performance from Matilda The Musical featuring composer Tim Minchin and the four young performers who share the title role singing “Quiet.”
The BBC reported that Movie Week pulled in a peak audience of 5.6 million viewers, anchoring its position as a weekend ratings favorite. The remaining 14 celebrity couples will return to the dancefloor when Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday on BBC One.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton was the first contestant eliminated from the 2026 series.
Who was Chris Appleton partnered with on the show?
He was partnered with professional dancer Amy Dowden.
Which couple did Chris Appleton face in the dance-off?
He faced actress Jaime Winstone and her professional partner Carlos Gu.
How did the judges vote in the dance-off?
Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke voted unanimously to save Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu.
What song did Chris Appleton dance to in his final routine?
He performed a Cha Cha routine to “I’ll Be Ready” from the television series Baywatch.
