Strictly Come Dancing 2026 viewers were left divided tonight (Sunday, November 8) as Bethany Antonia became the latest celebrity to leave the competition following a dance-off against Cach Mercer.
The House of the Dragon star and dance partner Nancy Xu were sent packing after head judge Shirley Ballas was forced to make the final call, choosing to keep Love Island favourite Cach and professional partner Maddie Ingoldsby.
And the outcome proved particularly disappointing for Bethany, who had actually finished four points ahead of Cach on Saturday night’s leaderboard.
Who left Strictly Come Dancing tonight?
It was the end of the road for Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu on Strictly Come Dancing 2026 after they faced Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby in the dreaded dance-off.
The actress and her professional partner had picked up an impressive 30 points for their foxtrot to Leona Lewis’ Bleeding Love during Saturday’s show.
Cach and Maddie, meanwhile, had scored 26 points after performing their waltz to Mulaa Jones’ That Ain’t You.
But despite the difference in scores, neither couple had managed to secure enough support from the public to avoid the bottom two.
Both pairs therefore had another chance to impress the judges as they took to the ballroom floor to perform their dances once more.
Shirley Ballas makes final decision after Strictly judges split
There was no clear agreement among the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel when it came to deciding who should go home.
Craig Revel Horwood was first to make his choice, opting to keep Bethany and Nancy in the competition.
Anton Du Beke disagreed, instead throwing his support behind Cach and Maddie.
Motsi Mabuse then backed Bethany and Nancy, putting them ahead with two votes.
However, the decision was far from settled, with head judge Shirley Ballas still having the casting vote.
And Shirley ultimately chose to save Cach and Maddie, bringing Bethany and Nancy’s Strictly journey to an end.
Strictly Come Dancing viewers divided over Bethany Antonia exit
Bethany’s departure certainly gave Strictly fans plenty to talk about, with the split judging panel adding to the debate surrounding the result.
One person said on X: “Sorry, Bethany and Nancy were better. What a joke Strictly is. Cach and Maddie need to go.”
Another added: “Sorry but Cach and Maddie should’ve gone. Same comments every week! Bethany and Nancy were improving what a shame.”
Meanwhile, a third wrote: “Honestly so gutted for Bethany and Nancy. Not sure what the judges were thinking. Dreadful decision!”
However, others thought it was the right decision. One person said: “Well done Shirley, the right decision to save Cach.”
Another commented: “Right decision, it was Bethany’s time to go, she was lucky to survive last week’s dance-off.”
Read more: Strictly host Josh Widdicombe left concerned over Dianne Buswell’s ‘dangerous’ wardrobe malfunction
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday, November 14 at 6.25pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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