Monday, October 5, 2026 - Chris Appleton has become the first contestant eliminated from the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The celebrity hairstylist, 43, and his professional partner Amy Dowden were sent home following the first dance-off of the series, after finding themselves in the bottom two alongside actress Jaime Winstone and professional dancer Carlos Gu.
The two couples went head-to-head during Movie Week, with Appleton and Dowden performing a cha-cha-cha to “I’ll Be Ready” from Baywatch, while Winstone and Gu danced to “Oh, Pretty Woman” from Pretty Woman.
Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all voted to save Winstone and Gu, while Craig Revel Horwood confirmed he would have made the same choice. Appleton and Dowden therefore became the first couple to leave the competition.
Reflecting on his short journey, Appleton described the experience as a “whirlwind of emotion” and said the show had pushed him far outside his comfort zone. He also praised Dowden, saying he was grateful to have gained a friend for life and wished he could have done more to help her progress.
Dowden said watching Appleton grow in confidence was what she would take away from their two weeks together, as the remaining couples prepare to return to the dance floor next Saturday.
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