The semi-finalists of Strictly Come Dancing have been revealed, sparking a wave of shock and frustration among fans. Former Emmerdale star Lewis Cope was eliminated following a tense dance-off against Amber Davies, despite Amber’s flawless score of 40 and strong public support.
Judge Anton Du Beke captured the sentiment perfectly, stating, “The person who goes home will be the best dancer to not have made the semi-final,” underscoring how close the competition truly was.
Amber Davies will join EastEnders’ Balvinder Sopal, internet personality George Clarke, and former Lioness and sports broadcaster Karen Carney in the semi-final lineup for next week’s show.
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After his exit, Lewis expressed heartfelt gratitude to presenter Tess Daly: “It’s been more than I could have ever wished for. If someone told me I’d last 11 weeks on the show, I’d have snapped their hand off. Thank you to everyone involved in creating a space where people can be themselves, grow, and express themselves. This experience will stay with me forever. And Katya—this is all down to you. You’ve given me everything I could hope for as both a friend and a teacher.”
Katya also praised Lewis, saying, “You’ve created moments that will live in Strictly history. You’ll be remembered not only as one of the best male celebrities but as an incredible, kind, and genuine person. I’m so grateful we had the opportunity to showcase your talent and spirit to the world.”
Fans took to social media to voice their outrage. One user on X wrote, “Ludicrous—a really good dancer has been eliminated from a dance competition.” Another said, “Absolutely fuming,” while a third added, “To say I’m shocked to see Lewis and Katya go is an understatement.” Others echoed similar disappointment, calling his elimination “a huge mistake” and “criminal,” questioning how two top performers ended up in the dance-off.
The remaining four couples will perform in the semi-final next Saturday at 6:35 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with the results show airing the following Sunday at 7:45 pm.