Amy Dowden and Chris Appleton eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing

Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden have become the first couple eliminated from the current series of Strictly Come Dancing. The pair landed in the bottom two during the first dance-off, but the judges unanimously chose to save Jaime Winstone and her partner, Carlos Gu.

In subsequent interviews, Amy Dowden expressed being “gutted” and “heartbroken” by the exit, noting that while the result was emotional, she valued the lifelong friendship formed during the competition. Chris Appleton also reflected on the experience, noting how Dowden helped him build confidence and manage his nerves throughout the process.