In a tear-jerking moment that left viewers reaching for tissues, Strictly Come Dancing bid an emotional farewell to beloved entertainment journalist Ross King, the second celebrity to be eliminated from the 2025 series. The 63-year-old Lorraine star, partnered with the radiant Jowita Przystal, faced the dreaded dance-off on Sunday night, only to see his Strictly journey come to an abrupt end. Reflecting on his exit during an appearance on the spin-off show It Takes Two, Ross wiped away tears as he shared a poignant backstage moment that revealed the camaraderie—and heartbreak—behind the sequins.
Ross and Jowita found themselves in the bottom two, pitted against EastEnders icon Balvinder Sopal and her professional partner Julian Caillon. Both pairs reprised their performances with passion, with Ross and Jowita delivering a fiery Paso Doble to the iconic Thunderbirds Are Go theme. Despite their spirited effort, the judges—Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke—unanimously voted to save Balvinder and Julian. Head judge Shirley Ballas, though not required to cast a deciding vote, confirmed she would have made the same choice.
The elimination was a gut punch for Ross, who admitted on It Takes Two that he had little confidence going into the dance-off. “I was not in the slightest bit confident,” he confessed, his voice trembling. But it was a heartfelt backstage ritual with fellow contestant Chris that truly tugged at heartstrings. “Chris and I would always joke ‘see you later, see you later,’ and that was it,” Ross revealed, hinting at the bittersweet bond formed with his co-star. “I was very pleased for Chris and Nadiya that they didn’t have to go through the dance-off again.”
Despite the disappointment, Ross’s reflections were filled with gratitude and warmth. “It has been the most wonderful, magical, fun experience,” he said. “Not one ounce of complaint or regret.” His partner Jowita, visibly emotional, echoed his sentiments. “It is, of course, sad, and I am gutted,” she admitted. “But I am just so proud of Ross and what he achieved in that training room.”
As the studio lights dimmed and the reality of his exit sank in, Ross delivered a heartfelt speech that left not a dry eye in the house. “I have loved every single minute of it,” he said, his voice cracking. “I want to thank everyone who has supported us, all the people who voted—they’ve been amazing. I want to thank everyone here in this room, backstage, the judges, the crew—every single person has made me so, so welcome.”
Turning to Jowita, Ross’s gratitude reached new heights. “I want to thank a very special lady who has been with me through it all and has been absolutely everything: she’s been a mentor, teacher, carer…” Jowita, ever the spark of humor, interjected with a playful, “Barista!”—a nod to their lighthearted moments in rehearsals. Ross continued, “I could not have wished for a better partner, or a better show. Thank you, judges, for all your remarks.”
Host Tess Daly, clearly moved, highlighted the special bond between the pair, noting that Jowita had lovingly dubbed Ross “Your King.” Jowita doubled down on the sentiment, her voice thick with emotion. “And I still stand by it!” she declared. “Thank you so much for all of your work, for everything you’ve done during rehearsals. We laughed a lot—but we also cried! I hope I’m going to be a little part of your life forever.”
Ross’s exit marks the end of a glittering chapter in his Strictly journey, but his heartfelt words and the raw emotion of his farewell will linger in the hearts of fans. From the dance floor to the tearful goodbyes, Ross King proved he was more than just a contestant—he was a true Strictly star, leaving behind a legacy of joy, resilience, and an unforgettable partnership with Jowita Przystal.