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[CULTURE] · United Kingdom · 10 sources

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Part of situation: Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestant eliminations (2 clusters)

Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing Chris Appleton Amy Dowden elimination Movie Week

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton and professional dancer Amy Dowden have become the first couple eliminated from the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing. The exit occurred following a Movie Week themed dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and partner Carlos Gu.

During the results show, judges Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke unanimously voted to save Winstone and Gu. Appleton and Dowden had previously performed a Cha Cha to ‘I’ll Be Ready’ from Baywatch, while Winstone and Gu performed to ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’.

Appleton expressed that the experience was a challenge that took him out of his comfort zone, noting that he felt proud to participate in a show he grew up watching. Dowden, who has previously faced significant health challenges including a breast cancer diagnosis, shared her support for her partner despite the early exit.

Some viewers expressed frustration on social media, suggesting the pairing was disadvantaged by their song choice and placement in the show's schedule.

Entities

Amy Dowden · Carlos Gu · Chris Appleton · Jaime Winstone · Strictly Come Dancing

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Who was the first celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2026? [www.hexham-courant.co.uk]
First Strictly Come Dancing pairing are voted out as viewers left gutted [www.entertainmentdaily.com]
CHRIS APPLETON FIRST CELEBRITY ELIMINATED FROM STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026 [www.tvzoneuk.com]
Nach Krebsdiagnose wollte Amy Dowden alles hinschmeißen [www.promiflash.de]
Strictly Come Dancing eliminates first couple off the show [evoke.ie]
Kim Kardashian's BFF Chris Appleton first to be voted off Strictly [www.thepinknews.com]
Strictly Come Dancing Loses First Celebrity Of The Series After Shock Dance-Off [www.huffingtonpost.co.uk]
Who left Strictly 2026? First celebrity to be voted out revealed [www.radiotimes.com]
Strictly shock as Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden are first couple to leave 2026 series [www.hellomagazine.com]
Chris Appleton breaks silence on Strictly exit after 'set-up' claims [www.standard.co.uk]