- Lewis Cope and Katya Jones eliminated from Strictly, despite high scores and fan support
- Fans label Lewis and Katya as ‘the most robbed couple in the show’s history’ after their exit
- Lewis reflects positively on his time on the show, expressing gratitude towards partner Katya
As we edge ever closer to the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2025, each elimination feels that little bit more painful.
This week fans have been left shocked to say goodbye to the latest celebrity eliminated from BBC One competition, with the semi-finalists now being confirmed.
After a dance off which has divided fans, Emmerdale star Lewis Cope has become the ninth star to the leave the show alongside his partner Katya Jones.
The pair were in the bottom two alongside Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin during Sunday night’s Musicals Week results show.
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After the dance off all four judges decided to save Amber and Nikita, who scored a perfect 40 on Saturday, leaving Lewis and Katya bidding farewell to their time in the competition.
Lewis and Katya’s salsa, which they performed to Dance at the Gym from West Side Story, received 35 points from the judges, placing them in joint second place with George Clarke and Alexis Warr and Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon.
Despite it being a solid score, it wasn’t enough to save their pair from elimination.
Speaking about his time on the show, Lewis said to Tess Daly: ‘It’s been more than I could have ever wished for.’
He went on: ‘It’s been incredible and a memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life, and [to Katya] I think it’s all down to you. You’ve literally given me absolutely everything I could wish for as a friend, as a teacher, and yeah, I couldn’t imagine it with anybody else.
‘So, thank you very much.’
Katya was equally complimentary and even said he’ll be remembered as ‘one of, if not, the best male celebrity we’ve ever had on the show’.
Who is in the Strictly 2025 semi-final?
The couples left in Strictly Come Dancing 2025 are…
- Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin
- George Clarke and Alexis Warr
- Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
- Karen Carney and Carlos Gu
But the soap star’s departure has left some fans raging. El on X said: ‘Lewis and Katya, you take the spot of the most robbed couple in the history of this show.’
Kellie also despaired: ‘The thought of losing lewis and katya before seeing their argentine tango, american smooth and showdance is making me nauseous and ill.’
Chloe added: ‘When all is said and done I will sleep peacefully tonight knowing that at least lewis and katya gave us the best dance strictly has ever seen.’
This was in reference to the Charleston, which they performed during Strictly’s Blackpool week, receiving tens across the board.
Lewis had been a fan favourite on the show, despite initial accusations that he was a professionally trained dancer.
Speaking to Metro at the time, he said: ‘To call me professionally trained or a professional dancer seems a bit bizarre, especially now that I’m working with these pros on the show.
‘It’s kind of an insult to them, really, to suggest I’m on their level when they’ve dedicated their lives to becoming as brilliant as they are.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns on BBC One next Saturday at 6.35pm.
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