Another beloved contestant has left the ballroom—and the emotional goodbye has everyone talking.
This past Sunday evening brought heartbreak to the dance floor as Strictly Come Dancing said goodbye to its second eliminated pair of the season: television presenter Ross King and his professional dance partner Jowita Przystał. The elimination came after an electrifying Movie Week that pushed the competitors to embody iconic film moments—but ultimately left Ross and Jowita facing off against Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon in the dreaded dance-off.
Here's where the scores tell the story: Ross and Jowita found themselves anchored to the bottom of the leaderboard with a modest score of just 19 points. Meanwhile, Balvinder and Julian managed to secure a more comfortable 26 points. When the public vote combined with the judges' scores, both couples landed in the elimination zone, forcing them to perform their routines one final time for survival.
The Scottish broadcaster and his partner delivered their Paso Doble once again, set to the instantly recognizable theme from the classic Thunderbirds Are Go. On the other side, Balvinder and Julian recreated their elegant Foxtrot, dancing to the timeless standard 'The Way You Look Tonight' from the vintage film Swing Time. But here's where it gets controversial—was Ross truly the weakest dancer, or did the scoring system fail to capture the entertainment value and heart he brought to each performance?
This particular Movie Week wasn't without its highlights, though. The evening witnessed Lewis Cope and Katya Jones making history by earning the competition's very first perfect 10 of the season—a moment that had the audience on their feet. Adding even more star power to the occasion, the show welcomed Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo as a special guest judge, bringing her 'wicked' expertise to the panel and offering contestants invaluable feedback from a performer's perspective.
The Judges Make Their Decision
When the moment of truth arrived and both couples had completed their final performances in the dance-off, the judging panel faced the difficult task of choosing who would continue their Strictly journey. In what turned out to be a clear-cut decision, all four judges voted unanimously to save Balvinder and Julian, sending Ross and Jowita home.
Craig Revel Horwood kicked off the voting process, followed by enthusiastic endorsements from both Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke. Head judge Shirley Ballas didn't need to cast her deciding vote due to the unanimous decision, but she confirmed afterward that she would have made the identical choice to keep Balvinder and Julian in the competition. The question remains, though: does a unanimous vote always mean it was the right call, or does it sometimes reflect a groupthink mentality? What do you think?
An Emotional Tribute to 'A Very Special Lady'
The most touching moment of the evening came when Ross, visibly emotional and fighting back tears, shared his reflections with host Tess Daly about his Strictly experience. His words painted a picture of genuine gratitude and appreciation that resonated throughout the studio.
"I have loved every single minute of it," Ross began, his voice thick with emotion. "I would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported us, all the people who voted—they've been amazing. I want to thank everyone here in this room, backstage, the judges, the crew—every single person here has made me so, so welcome."
But the most heartfelt part of his farewell was reserved for his dance partner. "And, I want to thank a very special lady who has been with me through it all and has been absolutely everything: she's been a mentor, teacher, carer..." At this point, Jowita playfully interjected with "barista!" bringing laughter through the tears. Ross continued, "I could not have wished for a better partner, and I could not have wished to be on a better show. Thank you judges for all your remarks."
This genuine display of emotion raises an interesting point—should Strictly be judged purely on technical dancing ability, or should the personal growth, effort, and emotional journey of contestants factor more heavily into the scoring? And this is the part most people miss: sometimes the contestants who struggle the most technically create the most memorable and inspiring television moments.
A Partnership That Transcends the Competition
When Tess turned her attention to Jowita, reminding her that she had affectionately called Ross "Your King" throughout their partnership, the professional dancer's response demonstrated the deep bond they had formed over their weeks together.
"And I still stand by it!" Jowita declared without hesitation. "Thank you so much for all of your work. For everything you have done during rehearsals. We laugh a lot—but we also cried! Thank you so much, and I hope I'm going to be a little part in your life forever."
The exchange highlighted one of the most beautiful aspects of Strictly Come Dancing: the genuine friendships and connections that develop between celebrities and their professional partners. These relationships often extend far beyond the competition itself, creating bonds that last for years. It's moments like these that remind us why millions tune in week after week—it's not just about the dancing; it's about the human stories unfolding before our eyes.
The Show Must Go On
Sunday's results episode wasn't solely about goodbyes, however. The show also featured a spectacular group performance by the professional dancers, paying homage to the upcoming Minecraft movie in a creative and visually stunning routine. Additionally, Nancy Xu and Kai Widdrington delivered what many are calling a showstopping performance, dancing to pianist Lang Lang's breathtaking rendition of 'Reflection' from Disney's Mulan. Their routine served as a reminder of the incredible talent housed within the show's professional dancer roster.
Looking ahead, the remaining 13 couples will return to the dancefloor next week, each hoping to avoid finding themselves in Ross and Jowita's position. Strictly Come Dancing continues its Saturday night slot on October 18th at 6:30 PM, with the corresponding results show airing Sunday, October 19th at 7:15 PM on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. For those who want to catch up or relive the drama, both of this weekend's episodes are currently available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
So here's the question that's dividing fans: Was Ross eliminated at the right time, or did he deserve more weeks to show his improvement? Should entertainment value and likability count for more in the scoring, or should technical precision always win out? Drop your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with the judges' decision, or do you think they got this one wrong?
