STRICTLY SHOCKER: ALEX KINGSTON VOTED OFF AFTER TENSE DANCE-OFF

Actress Alex Kingston became the eighth celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing after a tense and emotional results show that saw her land in the bottom two following a routine filled with noticeable errors. Kingston, best known for her roles in Doctor Who and ER, faced off in the dance-off against EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Callion, who remarkably survived their fifth dance-off of the series.

This week’s results were determined by a combination of last week’s Blackpool Special votes, judges’ scores, and bonus points from Saturday night’s brand-new Instant Dance challenge, which tested the celebs’ ability to perform choreography with almost no preparation.

Despite delivering one of her most energetic performances of the series, Kingston struggled with several timing issues and footwork slips that ultimately proved costly. Viewers saw an unusually tense discussion among the judges as they were asked to decide who deserved a place in next week’s quarter-final.

When the moment of truth arrived, judge Anton Du Beke cast the first vot, choosing to save Alex and Johannes, praising her improvement and “beautiful storytelling.” But Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Shirley Ballas all opted to save Balvinder and Julian, citing a cleaner, more consistent performance in the dance-off. With three votes to one, the decision sealed Alex Kingston’s departure.

After learning her fate, a visibly emotional Alex spoke to host Tess Daly about her time on the show and her pride in making it this far:

“I had never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would last this long. It’s been the most incredible journey for me. I feel quite proud of myself because I've loved the process 100%. You can tell by my smile.”

It was the last week on the show for one couple… but one thing’s for sure, they’ll definitely keep on dancing – Credit: PA Media

Her professional partner Johannes Radebe, known for his warmth and charisma, also paid a heartfelt tribute, praising her commitment, humour, and determination week after week. The pair have often been cited as one of the most joyful partnerships of the season, earning a loyal fan base even before their Blackpool triumph last week.

Meanwhile, Balvinder and Julian’s escape from elimination for the fifth time has sparked a strong reaction online, with some viewers calling them “the comeback kids” and others questioning how long their luck can hold. Still, their ability to deliver under pressure keeps them firmly in the competition, and now in the coveted quarter-final.

As Strictly enters its final stretch, the tension continues to rise. With the Instant Dance challenge now thrown into the mix and only a handful of couples left standing, the road to the Glitterball Trophy is more unpredictable than ever.

One thing’s for sure: Alex Kingston may be out of the competition, but her radiant smile and infectious enthusiasm have cemented her status as one of this year’s most treasured contestants.