Third celebrity booted off Strictly Come Dancing following dance-off

Former England rugby player Chris Robshaw has become the third celebrity to be eliminated from this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The 39-year-old and his partner Nadiya Bychkova, were defeated in the dance-off by EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and her dance partner Julian Caillon, during the BBC dancing programme’s results show on Sunday.

Speaking about his time on the show, Robshaw said: “I’ve loved it, I’ve had an amazing partner, for me, coming onto this journey, I had no confidence.

“To be told I had world class qualities on the dancefloor today, even though we have to go home, that’s amazing to hear so thank you very much. It’s given me such confidence.”

Both couples performed their routines from Saturday’s live show for a second time, with Bychkova and Robshaw performing their salsa to Maria by Ricky Martin, and Sopal and Caillon reprising their paso doble to Diablo Rojo by Rodrigo Y Gabriela.

Sopal ended up in the dance off following the public vote, despite earning a score of 28 on Saturday’s show, putting her in midtable on the leaderboard, while drag artist La Voix and their partner Aljaz Skorjanec, who scored just 14, avoided the dance off completely.

Following their second performances, judge Motsi Mabuse opted to save Sopal, while head judge Shirley Ballas and fellow judge Anton Du Beke voted to save Robshaw, but Craig Revel Horwood was the judge with this week’s casting vote, and he decided to save Sopal.

After the dance-off, Robshaw said: “To my partner Nadiya, I’m sorry.

“But it’s been an amazing journey, she’s been a brilliant teacher, I’ve developed so much, and it’s been a great ride – so thank you.”

Bychkova said she had enjoyed “wonderful weeks” with Robshaw, and added that she had seen the qualities that made him captain of the England rugby team.

She added: “To watch you (go) from a non-dancer and non-performer (to then) blossom, improve and develop.

“On Friday night when we were here rehearsing you told me that you couldn’t wait to perform on Saturday and that’s the best confirmation that you have got that feeling and that love for dance – and that means the world.

“Sometimes on this show you win by getting a glitterball, but I feel this year I won just getting you as my partner. So, thank you so much.”

Sunday’s results show also featured a musical performance of Been A Minute by former Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock, accompanied by a routine from Strictly’s professional dancers Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nancy Xu, Jowita Przystal, Gorka Marquez, and Neil Jones.

The show also featured a trailer for Icons Week, which showed each celeb lip syncing to a quote from the musical icon they will be performing as next weekend.

The remaining 12 couples will take to the dancefloor for Icons Week when Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday October 25, at 6.20pm, with the results show on Sunday October 26, at 7.15pm.

Published: 19/10/2025 by Radio NewsHub