Chris Appleton was the first contestant eliminated from the current season of Strictly Come Dancing after failing to impress the judges with his performances over the first two weeks. During a dance-off, both Appleton and his professional partner Amy Dowden performed their cha-cha routines again but were still voted off based on combined scores from previous shows and this week’s public vote. Despite being eliminated, Appleton expressed gratitude for his experience and highlighted the close friendship he formed with Dowden throughout their time on the show.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
TV personality Chris Appleton and professional dancer Amy Dowden were eliminated from the 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing after facing off against actress Jaime Winstone and partner Carlos Gu in a dance-off on Sunday, November 5th. The decision was made based on combined scores from judges and public votes over the first two weeks, with Appleton and Dowden scoring 17 points compared to Winstone and Gu's 21 points during Movie Week. Despite both couples performing again in the dance-off, judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke chose to save Winstone and Gu, citing their routines as having more refinement and power. Appleton expressed gratitude for the experience, noting it pushed him out of his comfort zone despite initially excelling in hair styling.
Written for “Strictly Dance Off Elimination” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
Chris Appleton has become the first contestant eliminated from this season of Strictly Come Dancing.
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Appleton → become → Dancing
However, their dances on the first two weeks of the show failed to impress the judges – who then sent them home.
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who → fail → them
This week’s judges’ scores were added to those from last week’s first live show, when there was no public vote, and were 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.”
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I → add → action
Both couples performed their routines again – with Appleton and Dowden 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.
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Winstone → perform → Woman
After his elimination, Appleton said: “I think it’s been such a whirlwind of emotion.
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it → say → emotion
I’m 43 and I got good at doing what I did – which is hair.
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which → ’m → what
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.
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I → come → ways
“I am very grateful for everyone who has been involved.
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who → involve → everyone
It’s been so amazing to be part of something that I grew up watching and got to be a part of it.
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I → grow → it
“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.
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who → think → heart
“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.”
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we → wish → it
Dowden added: “Although it was only two weeks, watching Chris grow in confidence, that is what I will take away.
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I → add → what
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.”
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I → seem → life
Posting a series of photos with Appleton minutes after the show, Dowden wrote on Instagram: “I honestly don’t think words can quite describe how proud I am of you.
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I → post → you
Seeing your Strictly journey come to an end is emotional, but
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journey → see → end
what I’ll treasure most isn’t the result, it’s the friendship, memories and special moments we’ve shared along the way.
“I know unfortunately only too well heartbreak.
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I → treasure → heartbreak
But I also know that the reason it hurts so much is because of the friendship and bond we’ve formed and that’s something that isn’t going anywhere.
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that → know → friendship
“From the nerves, the laughter and the endless rehearsals to the moments when things felt tough, you gave everything you had.
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you → feel → everything
You showed such heart, determination and kindness, and it has been an absolute privilege to share this journey with you.”
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it → show → you
Dowden said their time on the show may have ended but their friendship “certainly hasn’t”.
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friendship → say → show
Thank you for every laugh, every memory, every hug and for simply being you,” she added.
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she → thank → laugh
The first results show of this season of Strictly also featured a The Devil Wears Prada routine from the Strictly Professionals, plus a performance from Matilda The Musical, with the four young performers who play Matilda singing Quiet alongside composer Tim Minchin.
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who → feature → Minchin
Throughout his career, Appleton has worked with stars including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Sofia Vergara, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.
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Appleton → work → Kardashian
He and Dowden had performed a tango on their first week of the contest – receiving a score of 16 from the judges.
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He → perform → judges
After performing during movie week, the judges scored them 17 for their cha-cha-cha.
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judges → perform → cha
Both Mabuse and Du Beke noticed the hair stylist had shown a “huge improvement” from the first week.
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stylist → notice → week
“The performance was another level, and the dancing will keep improving if you keep at it,” Du Beke said.
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Beke → keep → it
Speaking soon after finishing the routine, Appleton said he “did not want to let Amy down”, adding: “I am really trying but also really enjoying it.”
Dowden was also eliminated first last season after being paired with The Apprentice contestant and businessman Thomas Skinner.
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Dowden → speak → Skinner
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