Strictly Come Dancing sparks fury as fan-favourite eliminated in shock dance-off

The long-running show received backlash for their unexpected exit online.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025

Lewis Cope and Katya Jones became the 12th contestants to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing (Image: PA)

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left up in arms after Lewis Cope became the 12th star to be eliminated from the beloved?BBC dance competition. The Emmerdale star and his dance partner, Katya Jones, found themselves in the dreaded dance-off against Amber Davies on Sunday (December 7), despite the two impressive couples topping the leaderboard this week. This was a first for the Emmerdale star to be in the bottom two, despite both couples impressing the judges with their glamorous routines for Musicals Week.

Amber and Nikita stole the show on Saturday night (December 6), earning a perfect score of 40 for their Charleston to Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat from the beloved musical, Guys and Dolls. Meanwhile, Lewis and Katya earned a respectable 35 points for their Salsa to the hit single “America” from the musical West Side Story.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025

The couple lost their place in the semi-final to Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin (Image: PA)

In a nail-biting dance-off both couples performed again as they fought for their place in the semi-finals. But unfortunately, Lewis and Katya struggled to wow the judges and were tearfully eliminated from the competition.

It didn’t take long before viewers swarmed to social media to share their heartache online, with one user fuming: “I’ve never known a couple who have been robbed of the semi-final more than Katya & Lewis. Shocked. Not a good result.”

A second raged: “Strictly, this programme I think has run its course. Those two shouldn’t be in the dance off. It proves how much of a farce it is.”

One viewer insisted: “Judges should have saved Lewis and Katya,” as a fourth admitted: “I’m not taking Lewis’ departure well.”

Lewis and Katya with Tess

Lewis and Katya had an emotional exit 

A fifth was disappointed and wrote: “Well, I was looking forward to the #Strictly final and what amazing dances Katya and Lewis would bring.”

While another highlighted: “Omg we never got a Lewis and Katya Argentine Tango – nobody speak to me!!!

As Tess revealed that Lewis is the show’s highest scoring male celebrity, he took the time to reflect on his Strictly journey and shared: “It’s been more than I could’ve ever wished for. If someone would’ve said I would’ve done over 11 weeks on the show, I would’ve been over the moon, and I snapped their hand off.”

He added: “Thank you to the full show and having such a space where people can be themselves, grow, learn, and express themselves. It’s been incredible and it’ll be a memory that I’ll have for the rest for my life.” Turning to Katya, Lewis concluded: “And it’s all down to you.”