Who left Strictly 2026? Third celebrity to be voted out revealed

Dame Sarah Storey and her professional partner Julian Caillon have become the third couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2026, going out in a dance-off during Sunday night's results show.

The Paralympic champion found herself in the bottom two alongside Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu after the public vote, having also finished bottom of the Strictly leaderboard on Saturday night, meaning both couples returned to the floor for the dreaded dance-off in a bid to stay in the competition.

Both pairs performed their Icons Week routines again. Sarah and Julian reprised their Tango to That Don't Impress Me Much by Shania Twain, before actress Bethany and her partner Nancy danced their Cha Cha to Respect by Aretha Franklin.

Once both couples had danced, the judges delivered their verdicts – and it was unanimous. Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse all chose to save Bethany and Nancy, meaning Dame Sarah's fate was sealed. Head Judge Shirley Ballas also revealed she would've opted to save Bethany and Nancy if she'd had to cast her vote.

Sarah is a 19-time Paralympic gold medallist and this year marks Julian's second season as a Stricly pro. Last year he made it all he way to the semi-final with EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal.

Bethany, who plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon and has also appeared in Doctor Who and Stay Close, is one half of this year's same-sex pairing with Nancy, having said she specifically asked to dance with a woman.

Fans of Sarah can catch her and Julian when they join Ellie Taylor for their exit interview on Strictly: It Takes Two on Monday at 6.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Tonight's results show also saw the professional dancers transform into different eras of Madonna in a routine paying tribute to the Queen of Pop. There was also a tribute to Dolly Parton as singer Belles performed Jolene, accompanied by Amy Dowden and Kai Widdrington.

Strictly Come Dancing continues at 6:30pm on Saturday 24 October on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Strictly: It Takes Two is on BBC Two at 6:30pm on Monday 19 October.

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Authors

Minnie Wright is the digital growth and acquisitions lead of Radio Times. She has a background in TV, film, showbiz and music at a major national publication and a degree in Popular Music Journalism.