Strictly Come Dancing’s 2025 series has already delivered its first dramatic exit, with divisive internet personality and former Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner and his professional partner Amy Dowden becoming the first couple to be eliminated. The result, announced on Sunday, October 5, came after a tense dance-off against former England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova, setting the tone for what’s shaping up to be a fiercely competitive season.
After two weeks of performances without any public voting, the stakes were raised on Saturday, October 4, when viewers were finally invited to cast their votes for the first time this year. The couples’ scores from both weeks were combined with the public vote, and when the dust settled, it was Skinner and Dowden who found themselves in the dreaded bottom two alongside Robshaw and Bychkova.
For their dance-off, Skinner and Dowden reprised their salsa to Dizzee Rascal’s high-energy track "Bonkers," while Robshaw and Bychkova performed their Viennese waltz to "Die With a Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. The judges—Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood—unanimously voted to save Robshaw and Bychkova, making Skinner and Dowden the first pair to exit the competition. Motsi Mabuse, who would have cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie, stated she would have made the same choice, according to BBC coverage.
Skinner, 34, was gracious in defeat, despite his disappointment. Speaking to host Tess Daly, he said, "I've loved it. I've never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy's amazing. It's been great fun and I've enjoyed it. I can't really dance that well but I've had fun! Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good, ‘cause you're a different class." His self-deprecating humor and honesty struck a chord with viewers, even as social media lit up with mixed reactions to his performances.
Dowden, 35, was visibly emotional as she reflected on her journey with Skinner and the challenges she’s faced over the past three years. She had missed the last two seasons of Strictly due to significant health setbacks—undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer in 2023 and suffering a foot injury that forced her out of last year’s competition. "We’ve laughed so much. We've worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing, but what I've learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything," Dowden shared, according to The Independent. She added, "I lost all confidence as a dancer - but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back and, honestly, thank you."
The judges didn’t hold back in their critiques of Skinner’s salsa. Craig Revel Horwood, known for his sharp wit, quipped, "It looked like you were competing at a weightlifting competition in Skegness, darling, it was all just powerlifts," before awarding the pair a mere two points for their effort. Their overall score for the week was 13, leaving them with a joint total of 29 after two weeks—one of the lowest in the competition.
Adding to the intensity, Skinner’s participation was overshadowed by several off-the-dancefloor controversies. Days before the series launch, he was involved in a public incident at a press conference, snatching a journalist’s phone and abruptly leaving the event. He later explained, "I happened to catch a glimpse of the screen and saw numerous messages – not about Strictly – but about a personal story from my past. In that moment, seeing it there caught me off guard." More notably, in September, Skinner admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding, describing it as a "fling" that occurred "the one time." He called the period that followed "a very, very dark time," and acknowledged, "she’s such a good person, without her I wouldn’t be where I am today – she made me." He went on to advise others who have made mistakes to "be honest and own up to it," noting that he and his wife had moved on from the incident.
Skinner’s candid approach to his personal life and the controversies swirling around him did little to sway public opinion. Social media was ablaze following his salsa performance, with some viewers expressing discomfort at his dance style and facial expressions. Comments ranged from bewilderment to outright criticism, with one viewer writing, "Watching Tom Skinner try and dance is actually making me feel sick. PUT YOUR TONGUE AWAY PLEASEEE," as reported by the Daily Mail. Others, however, sympathized with Dowden, expressing disappointment that she was once again out of the competition early despite her resilience and positive outlook.
Dowden’s journey has been particularly poignant for fans, many of whom rallied around her online. Messages of support poured in after the elimination, with one fan tweeting, "It's the right choice for that man to go, he was awful and thankfully it was the right choice but I feel so bad for Amy, she deserved a great partner and good season after last year." Her openness about her struggles and her determination to return to the dancefloor have made her a beloved figure on the show, regardless of her competitive results.
Despite the early exit, both Skinner and Dowden remained upbeat about their experience. Dowden said, "I've made a new friend for life and I wouldn't change a thing. There is a ballroom boy in there, so I'm a bit gutted he didn't get to do the ballroom, but the last three years, as you know, have been quite difficult for me." Skinner, for his part, seemed determined not to let the negativity get to him, stating emphatically, "Let me tell you this. I won't be cancelled. I ain't gonna kill myself like some of you want. I'm still here. I'm still standin," according to the Manchester Evening News.
The competition now moves forward with 14 couples left, all preparing for next week’s highly anticipated Movie Week special, set to air at 6:05pm on Saturday, October 11, on BBC One. With the first elimination behind them, the remaining contestants know that every step counts—and that both the judges and the public will be watching closely.
Strictly Come Dancing’s 2025 series has already proven to be as unpredictable and emotionally charged as ever. For Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner, their brief partnership on the dancefloor may have ended, but their story—of resilience, honesty, and new friendships—will linger long after the glitter settles.
