Strictly Come Dancing Viewers Outraged After Controversial Sixth Elimination
Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu exit the competition following a split judges' decision.
1Shocking Elimination Results
The 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing reached a turning point as Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu became the sixth couple eliminated. Despite scoring 30 points on Saturday for their foxtrot, they faced the bottom two. Their exit sparked significant backlash from viewers who questioned the fairness of the final result.
2Dance-Off Performance Details
Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu performed a foxtrot to Leona Lewis’s 'Bleeding Love' during the dance-off. Their opponents, Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby, danced a waltz to 'That Ain’t You' by Mulaa Joans. While Antonia and Xu had outperformed their rivals on the leaderboard, the judges' final verdict favored the opposing pair.
3Split Judges' Decision
The judging panel was divided during the elimination process. Anton Du Beke voted to save Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby, while Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse supported Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu. Head judge Shirley Ballas cast the deciding vote, ultimately choosing to save Mercer and Ingoldsby, confirming Antonia's departure.
4Viewer Backlash Online
Social media users expressed intense frustration, with many labeling the decision the biggest joke of the series. Fans highlighted that Antonia and Xu scored 30 points compared to the 26 points earned by Mercer and Ingoldsby. Critics argued that the lower-scoring couple should have been eliminated based on technical performance standards.
5Emotional Farewell Reflections
Reflecting on her journey, House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia grew tearful while speaking to host Emma Willis. She described the experience as amazing and credited her partner, Nancy Xu, for bringing out a new side of her. Xu praised Antonia for her fearlessness and ability to accept constructive criticism.
6Leaderboard and Competition Context
As the competition reached its halfway point, Dani Dyer and partner Nikita Kuzmin led the scoreboard with 36 points for their American smooth. Meanwhile, Graeme Hall struggled with his couple's choice routine. The show also featured a Remembrance Sunday tribute choreographed by Lizzie Gough, honoring women during the second world war.
7Future Show Developments
The series continues on November 14 at 6:25 pm, with the results show following on November 15 at 7:15 pm. Producers hope actress Jaime Winstone will return to the dancefloor after missing the previous live show due to an injury. All episodes remain available for streaming on the BBC iPlayer platform.
8Impact of Same-Sex Pairing
Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu made history as the show's first same-sex pairing in three series. Their departure marks a significant shift in the competition's dynamics. While some fans suggested the dance-off served as a wake-up call, others remain critical of the judging consistency regarding technical flaws and overall performance quality.