Who Got The Boot On Strictly Tonight? Chris Robshaw Exits As Third Star In Socal-Style Drama

Strictly Come Dancing Shocker: Chris Robshaw Says Goodbye

Hollywood might have its red carpet, but the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom brought all the drama tonight (October 19) with a dance-off that had us on the edge of our seats. Former England rugby champ Chris Robshaw became the third celebrity to get the boot from the BBC hit show, leaving fans stunned and the glitterball trophy hunt heating up with that SoCal summer energy.

In a nail-biter of a dance-off, Robshaw and his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova faced off against EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon. Both pairs brought their A-game, reprising their Saturday night routines - Robshaw with a fiery salsa to Ricky Martin’s 'Maria,' and Sopal with a fierce paso doble to 'Diablo Rojo' by Rodrigo Y Gabriela. But in true LA-style cliffhanger fashion, only one could stay.

Despite the public vote landing Sopal in the bottom two with a solid score of 28, and drag artist La Voix narrowly escaping with just 14 points alongside pro Aljaz Skorjanec, it all came down to the judges. Talk about a plot twist straight outta a Sunset Boulevard screenplay!

Judges’ Verdict and Emotional Farewells

The judges’ decision was tighter than traffic on the 405 during rush hour. Motsi Mabuse threw her support behind Sopal, while Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke were Team Robshaw. It all rested on Craig Revel Horwood’s casting vote, and in a move that had jaws dropping, he chose to save Sopal, sending Robshaw packing.

'I’m gutted to leave, but Nadiya, you’ve been an incredible teacher - I came in with zero confidence and walked away feeling like a star on that dance floor. This journey’s been everything,'

Robshaw shared post-exit, his words carrying the kind of heartfelt vibe you’d feel at a Venice Beach bonfire.

Bychkova echoed the sentiment, praising Robshaw’s growth from a non-dancer to a performer who couldn’t wait to hit the stage. 'Sometimes you win the glitterball, other times you win an amazing partner like Chris - and that’s my victory this year,' she added, reflecting on their 'wonderful weeks' together. It’s the kind of bond that reminds us why we love watching dreams unfold, even if they end early.

More Highlights from the Night

The results show wasn’t just about the goodbyes - it packed some serious star power too. Former Little Mix sensation Leigh-Anne Pinnock took the stage with her track 'Been A Minute,' backed by a killer routine from Strictly pros like Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nancy Xu, Jowita Przystal, Gorka Marquez, and Neil Jones. It was pure Hollywood magic, baby!

Plus, viewers got a sneak peek at next week’s Icons Week with a trailer showing the remaining celebs lip-syncing to quotes from musical legends they’ll embody on the dance floor. With 12 stars still in the race for that coveted glitterball, the competition’s getting hotter than a Malibu summer day.

Mark your calendars, fam - Strictly Come Dancing is back on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, October 25, at 6:20pm, with the results show dropping Sunday, October 26, at 7:15pm. And let’s not forget the earlier exits this season: Thomas Skinner (partnered with Amy Dowden) was the first out, followed by TV star Ross King with Jowita Przystal. Who’s next? Stick with us to find out!