The glittering ballroom of Strictly Come Dancing has witnessed its fair share of dramatic eliminations, but Sunday night’s results show delivered a double blow: the departure of former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and a game-changing format twist that will see three couples battle it out in next week’s Halloween special.
Wright-Phillips, paired with professional Alexis Warr, became the fourth celebrity to exit the competition after losing the dance-off to actor Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu. But the real surprise came when host Claudia Winkleman announced that next week’s spooky spectacular would feature Strictly‘s inaugural triple dance-off – a first in the show’s history.
Format Flip: Three Couples Face Elimination
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Strictly community, producers revealed that the bottom three couples – determined by a combination of judges’ scores and public votes – will all return to the dancefloor during the Halloween episode. The twist means that instead of the usual two-couple showdown, three pairs will perform once more before the judges deliberate and eliminate one unlucky duo.
“This is a first for Strictly, and it promises to be absolutely thrilling,” said a BBC spokesperson. “We wanted to inject some extra drama into our Halloween special while giving our remaining couples a chance to fight for their place in the competition.”
The format change comes at a crucial juncture in the series, with several high-profile contestants still vying for the glitter trophy. After next week’s triple elimination, the show will revert to its traditional two-couple dance-off format for the remainder of the series.
Dance-Off Drama: Wright-Phillips’ Final Performance
Sunday’s elimination showdown saw Wright-Phillips and Warr recreate their jive to Stevie Wonder’s “Faith” featuring Ariana Grande, hoping to impress the judges enough to stay in the competition. However, it was Winstone and Gu who ultimately prevailed, with their foxtrot to Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” earning praise from the panel.
Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both opted to save Winstone and Gu, while head judge Shirley Ballas supported the departing football star and his partner. The deciding vote fell to Bruno Tonioli, who sided with Winstone and Gu, sealing Wright-Phillips’ fate.
Despite the elimination, Wright-Phillips spoke graciously about his time on the show. “This has been an incredible journey,” he said. “To dance alongside such talented professionals and to learn from the best – it’s been a dream come true, even if it had to end here.”
High Scores and Emotional Moments
While the elimination drama dominated headlines, Saturday night’s live show delivered plenty of memorable performances. Australian singer Delta Goodrem made a triumphant return following a rib injury, earning the first perfect 10 of the series for her rumba to Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” with professional partner Kai Widdrington.
The performance garnered a total of 34 points, placing Goodrem and Widdrington firmly in the upper echelons of the leaderboard. But it was Winter Olympic champion Tabby Stoecker who truly stole the show, topping the leaderboard with a stunning 37 points for her couple’s choice routine to Olivia Rodrigo’s “Stupid Song.”
Stoecker’s performance, dedicated to her late father, was met with a standing ovation from the studio audience and glowing praise from the judges. “You are a beautiful dancer,” Ballas told her. “That was absolutely exquisite.”
Elsewhere on the dancefloor, Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb faced criticism from Revel Horwood, who described his performance as “flat-footed and out of time.” Despite scoring just 19 points, Robb and his partner Jowita Przystal managed to avoid the bottom two, thanks to strong public support.
Spice Girls Reunion Lights Up Results Show
The results show wasn’t just about eliminations and format changes – it also featured a special performance by Spice Girls star Melanie C, who joined the Strictly professional dancers for a high-energy, fitness-inspired group routine. The performance served as a reminder of the show’s ability to attract A-list talent and create unforgettable television moments.
As the remaining couples prepare for next week’s Halloween spectacular, anticipation is building for what promises to be one of the most dramatic episodes in recent memory. With three couples facing elimination and the pressure mounting with each passing week, the competition is heating up in more ways than one.
All episodes of the 2026 series are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer for viewers who want to relive the magic or catch up on missed performances.
Why it Matters
This unprecedented triple dance-off represents a bold gamble by Strictly Come Dancing producers to revitalise a format that has faced increasing competition from rival talent shows. By introducing this high-stakes elimination mechanism during a themed episode, the BBC is signalling its commitment to delivering unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat entertainment that keeps audiences guessing until the final moments. For the remaining celebrities, the pressure has intensified significantly – one misstep could see them eliminated alongside two other couples, making every performance count in ways that haven’t been seen before in the show’s illustrious history.
