Strictly fans left furious following shock dance-off result
It was Amber Vs Lewis in the bottom two
Last updated 8th Dec 2025
With the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final fast approaching, the competition has been rife in recent weeks, with many dubbing the standard of this year's celebs as the 'best in the show's history'.
Saturday night's episode saw remaining celebs Amber Davies, Lewis Cope, Karen Carney, George Clarke and Balvinder Sopal take to the dancefloor for Musicals Week, with Amber topping the leaderboard with the perfect score of 10.
Whilst Lewis, George and Balvinder all received 35/40 from the judges, it was former footballer Karen who found herself bottom with 34/40.
However, as the results show aired on Sunday (7th December), fans of the show were left in shock to see both Amber and Lewis in the dance-off, despite the pair impressing over the last 11 weeks.
Head judge Shirley Ballas said: "I'm speechless. Absolutely speechless. You have to dance your place in the semi-final. We are all admiring of all you. May the best man win."
Following the results, Amber and her partner Nikita Kuzmin performed 'Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat' from Guys and Dolls, with Lewis and his partner Katya Jones doing a Salsa to 'Dance at the Gym' from West Side Story.
Once both had performed, the all-important decision was left to judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood.
After Shirley, Anton and Craig chose to save Amber, Motsi, who had the deciding vote this week, also chose to save her, sending Lewis home.
Speaking following his departure, Emmerdale actor Lewis said: "It's been more than I could have ever wished for.
"If someone would have said that I'd have done 11 weeks on the show at the beginning, I'd have been over the moon and snap their hand off.
"So, thank you to the full show, to everyone for having a space where people can be themselves, grow, learn, express themselves. It's been incredible and a memory that I'll have for the rest of my life, and to Katya I think it's all down to you."
After seeing the results, fans of the show took to social media to express their shock and anger.
One wrote: 'dare i say: one of the biggest robs in strictly come dancing history…' (sic)
Another gasped: 'I’ve been a Strictly fan since day 1 and honestly think this is the biggest shock/ worst result I’ve ever seen 😢', with somebody else adding: 'National outrage! They should never have been anywhere near a dance off!! What a lovely guy @lewiscope is. Devastated for @katyajones. They were the series winners. 💔'.
Another said: 'Without being so dramatic that is the first time I have been so choked up about someone else leaving Strictly. @lewiscope @katyajones you have lit up the dance floor with your amazing routines wowed me to the point that I just want to watch your routines over and over again. You had my votes every week and I am incredibly gutted we won't see more of what you had to give. Beyond words'. (sic)
One more added: 'What on earth is the UK doing? The best celebrity dancer is out — this is utterly unbelievable. That decision is completely off the mark and absolutely unfair. You really have to wonder whether anyone is still judging based on actual performance. @lewiscope you’re the real winner … no one else. You can be proud of yourself'. (sic)
Check out all of this year's Strictly couples below:
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin
George Clarke and Alexis Warr
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones: ELIMINATED
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe: ELIMINATED
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Drag Queen La Voix was forced to pull out of the competition ahead of Blackpool week. Hosts Tess and Claudia said: "As you may have heard La Voix sustained an injury meaning she can't dance in Blackpool tonight. Following further advice from our medical team, we can now confirm very sadly that she has had to withdraw from the competition."
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington: ELIMINATED
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer: ELIMINATED
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola: ELIMINATED
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley: ELIMINATED
Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
After four weeks in the competition, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis announced he'd been forced to quit the competition, revealing he'd torn his calf muscle.
Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova: ELIMINATED
Ross King and Jowita Przystal: ELIMINATED
Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden: ELIMINATED
Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Just days ahead of her first live performance, Dani released a statement to announce she'd had to pull out of the series after suffering a fractured ankle in training. It has now been confirmed that Amber Davies will replace her and pair with Nikita.
Strictly Come Dancing continues next week, as Amber, George, Karen and Balvinder compete in this year's Semi-Final.
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