Furious Strictly fans declare eliminated pair is ‘the most robbed couple in show’s history’
The average score on Saturday night was 35.8 (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Key Points
summary__ai-icon
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones eliminated from Strictly, despite high scores and fan support
Fans label Lewis and Katya as ‘the most robbed couple in the show’s history’ after their exit
Lewis reflects positively on his time on the show, expressing gratitude towards partner Katya
Created with AI assistance. Quality assured by Metro editors.
As we edge ever closer to the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2025, each elimination feels that little bit more painful.
This week fans have been left shocked to say goodbye to the latest celebrity eliminated from BBC One competition, with the semi-finalists now being confirmed.
After a dance off which has divided fans, Emmerdale star Lewis Cope has become the ninth star to the leave the show alongside his partner Katya Jones.
The pair were in the bottom two alongside Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin during Sunday night’s Musicals Week results show.
Get personalised updates on Strictly
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
After the dance off all four judges decided to save Amber and Nikita, who scored a perfect 40 on Saturday, leaving Lewis and Katya bidding farewell to their time in the competition.
Lewis had been a fan favourite on the show (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
The actor stepped in last-minute to replace Game of Thrones star, Kristian Nairn (Picture: BBC)
Lewis and Katya’s salsa, which they performed to Dance at the Gym from West Side Story, received 35 points from the judges, placing them in joint second place with George Clarke and Alexis Warr and Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon.
Despite it being a solid score, it wasn’t enough to save their pair from elimination.
Speaking about his time on the show, Lewis said to Tess Daly: ‘It’s been more than I could have ever wished for.’
He went on: ‘It’s been incredible and a memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life, and [to Katya] I think it’s all down to you. You’ve literally given me absolutely everything I could wish for as a friend, as a teacher, and yeah, I couldn’t imagine it with anybody else.
‘So, thank you very much.’
Katya was equally complimentary and even said he’ll be remembered as ‘one of, if not, the best male celebrity we’ve ever had on the show’.
Four couples now remain in the competition (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Who is in the Strictly 2025 semi-final?
The couples left in Strictly Come Dancing 2025 are…
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin
George Clarke and Alexis Warr
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu
But the soap star’s departure has left some fans raging. El on X said: ‘Lewis and Katya, you take the spot of the most robbed couple in the history of this show.’
Kellie also despaired: ‘The thought of losing lewis and katya before seeing their argentine tango, american smooth and showdance is making me nauseous and ill.’
Chloe added: ‘When all is said and done I will sleep peacefully tonight knowing that at least lewis and katya gave us the best dance strictly has ever seen.’
‘Everyone switching Strictly off for the rest of the contest and probably for ever,’ said Tracey Noe, while Lorraine said: ‘Lewis was robbed. What on Earth??????’
This was in reference to the Charleston, which they performed during Strictly’s Blackpool week, receiving tens across the board.
Lewis Cope insisted he wasn’t a professionally trained dancer (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Lewis had been a fan favourite on the show, despite initial accusations that he was a professionally trained dancer.
Play Video
Sally Wainwright: 'Happy Valley is over – but my new BBC series is in that world'
BBC's new Doctor Who spin-off series proved all my fears wrong
Strictly Come Dancing's Amber Davies begs fans to be nice after 'vile' comments
Speaking to Metro at the time, he said: ‘To call me professionally trained or a professional dancer seems a bit bizarre, especially now that I’m working with these pros on the show.
‘It’s kind of an insult to them, really, to suggest I’m on their level when they’ve dedicated their lives to becoming as brilliant as they are.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns on BBC One next Saturday at 6.35pm.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Arrow
MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Amber Davies begs fans to be nice after ‘vile’ comments
Arrow
MORE: Gugu Mbatha-Raw: ‘Becoming a completely unrecognisable Doctor Who amphibian was liberating’
Arrow
MORE: BBC’s new Doctor Who spin-off series proved all my fears wrong
Comment now
Comments
Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google
Add as preferred source
TV Newsletter
Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.