Strictly fans 'gutted' as favourite Vicky Pattison axed ahead of Blackpool
She was up against Balvinder in the dance off
Last updated 17th Nov 2025
After scoring 39/40 in Week Seven of Strictly Come Dancing and topping the leaderboard, Vicky Pattison and her professional dancer partner Kai Widdrington shockingly found themselves at the bottom of the pack during Week Eight, after picking up 27/40 for their Jive.
Expressing her disappointment in her performance, Vicky found herself in the bottom two during Sunday night's result show, alongside EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal.
As fans of the show will know, this was Balvinder's fourth dance off of the series, and she certainly showed she knows how to deal with the pressure, giving an almost perfect routine.
After witnessing both routines, judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all unanimously chose to save Balvinder, in turn sending home Vicky ahead of next week's Blackpool special.
Speaking to Kai after the news, Vicky said: "I don't want to sound too cheesy but you've been the best partner a girl can ask for. I'm so sorry I didn't get you to Blackpool but I feel like I've won just by having you as my partner and I'm so grateful."
Kai responded, saying: "I just want you to know that I feel like I have also won getting you as my partner, and you will live on in Strictly history forever."
After seeing the results unfold, many fans of the show took to social media to express their shock.
One wrote: 'Vicky shouldn’t have been in the bottom two! Loved watching Vicky and Kai as a couple, they seem like such great friends and seeing Vicky improve each week was amazing!! 🥲'. (sic)
Another commented: '@VickyPattison YOU are the definition of what #strictly is about, you are 100% the most improved over the weeks & not just that the most humble, kind person who melted my heart! I'm gutted to see you go but it's been a privilege to watch you grow and shine every week 🫶🩷xxx'. (sic)
Somebody else wrote: 'Gutted Vicky has gone, she was my winner', with another adding: 'Vicky improved so much over the weeks, this is exactly what Strictly is about, so sad to see her and Kai go'.
Another Strictly viewer said: 'Absolutely loved Vicky and Kai but I think their song choice let them down this week! Didn't go with the Jive at all'. (sic)
Check out which celebs remain in the competition:
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin
George Clarke and Alexis Warr
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu
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.
Karen, Lewis, Alex, La Voix, George, Amber and Balvinder will now head to Blackpool where they'll perform at the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom. There's also going to be a twist this year, as four former finalists are returning for a spectacular group dance.
Strictly Come Dancing airs every Saturday and Sunday night on BBC One.
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