Strictly Come Dancing 2026: Shaun Wright-Phillips eliminated

Former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and professional partner Alexis Warr have been eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2026. Following a low score of 17 points for their jive, the pair landed in a tense dance-off against Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu.

During the results show, head judge Shirley Ballas voted to save Wright-Phillips, but the decision was overruled by judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, with Du Beke casting the deciding vote to keep Winstone in the competition. The elimination has sparked debate among viewers, particularly regarding Du Beke’s comments toward Wright-Phillips, which some fans on social media described as “unnecessary” and “unkind.”

The BBC also announced that the upcoming Halloween special will feature the series' first-ever triple dance-off. Other recent developments in the show include Melanie C performing a fitness-inspired group dance and contestant Bethany Antonia defending the broadcaster’s decision to blur a “Protect The Dolls” slogan on her T-shirt during rehearsals, citing editorial guidelines regarding overt branding.