The Strictly Come Dancing ballroom lit up with dazzling performances on Saturday night (October 4), as this year’s couples delivered their second round of routines, vying for a spot in the competition. From sultry Sambas to heartfelt Waltzes, the dance floor was alive with energy—but by Sunday night, the mood had shifted dramatically. Fans were left reeling, with many accusing the show of a shocking injustice after the first elimination sent beloved professional dancer Amy Dowden and her partner, The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, packing.
The weekend’s performances brought a mix of triumphs and struggles. At the top of the leaderboard, Love Island winner Amber Davies and her partner Nikita Kuzmin set the floor ablaze with their electrifying Samba to “Bam Bam” by Camila Cabello and Ed Sheeran, earning high praise from the judges. Meanwhile, Lorraine’s Ross King and Jowita Przystał found themselves at the opposite end of the spectrum, landing at the bottom after their Waltz to “Sunshine on Leith” by The Proclaimers failed to impress.
However, it was the Sunday results show that sparked an uproar. Host Tess Daly announced that Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden would face off against former England rugby player Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova in the dreaded dance-off. After both couples reprised their routines, the judges unanimously decided to save Chris and Nadiya, sending Thomas and Amy home as the first eliminated pair of the season.
The decision ignited a firestorm among Strictly fans, many of whom took to X to voice their outrage and heartbreak, particularly for Amy Dowden. The Welsh dancer’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. After missing the 2023 series due to a breast cancer diagnosis and being forced to withdraw from last year’s competition with JB Gill due to a shin injury, Amy’s return to the ballroom was a triumphant moment for fans. To see her eliminated in the first week felt like a cruel blow.
One fan vented, “This is an absolute travesty! How is it fair to Amy after everything she’s been through? The show’s biased!” Another fumed, “I’m LIVID. Amy deserved so much better than this. Justice for Amy! #Strictly.” A third echoed, “Gutted doesn’t even cover it. Amy’s out in WEEK ONE? This is wrong on so many levels.” The sentiment was clear: fans believed Amy had been robbed of her chance to shine, with some even questioning the judges’ decision-making process.
Despite the disappointment, Amy remained gracious in defeat. Speaking to Tess Daly after the elimination, she reflected on her time with Thomas: “I’ve got to know the real Tom, and he is adorable. He’s looked after me, we’ve laughed so much, and we’ve worked so hard. A glitterball would’ve been amazing, but I’ve learned that happiness, health, and being alive are more important than anything.”
Amy also opened up about her personal struggles, revealing how the past few years had shaken her confidence as a dancer. “The last three years have been quite difficult for me,” she admitted. “I lost all confidence as a dancer, but walking into the room with Tom’s massive smile and laugh brought me back. Thank you, Tom.”
Thomas, for his part, was equally heartfelt. “I’ve loved every second of this,” he said. “I’ve never danced before, and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing. It’s been great fun, and I’ve enjoyed it. I can’t really dance that well, but I’ve had a blast. Thank you, Amy—you’re a different class.”
The outpouring of support for Amy on X underscored the deep connection fans feel with her. “Amy deserved to show the world what she’s capable of,” one viewer wrote. “This elimination feels like a punch to the gut.” Another demanded, “The judges need to explain themselves. Why save Chris and Nadiya over Amy’s potential? #JusticeForAmy.”
While some fans acknowledged that the judges’ decision might have been technically correct, the emotional weight of Amy’s elimination overshadowed everything else. “I get it, maybe Chris and Nadiya were stronger in the dance-off,” one viewer conceded, “but Amy’s journey deserved more time. I’m heartbroken.”
As the competition moves forward, the controversy surrounding Amy and Thomas’s exit has left a lingering tension. Fans are now watching closely, questioning whether the show will deliver the fairness they demand. For Amy, her Strictly journey may have ended sooner than hoped, but her resilience and spirit have only strengthened her bond with fans, who are already rallying for her return in future seasons.