Strictly viewers call out Anton Du Beke for 'unnecessary and unkind' comment to eliminated contestant

Following another sparkling week of dancing for the final 12 couples, Sunday (25 October) night’s results show saw footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and his partner Alexis Warr face off against actor Jaime Winstone and her pro Carlos Gu in the dance-off.

Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse voted to save Winstone and Gu, while Shirley Ballas voted for Wright-Phillips and Warr, leaving Du Beke with this week’s casting vote.

The British dancer and former Strictly pro started by saying that both couples danced “so much better than Saturday night” and that they should “both be delighted” with their performances.

Shaun Wright-Phillips and his partner Alexis Warr faced off against actor Jaime Winstone and her pro Carlos Gu

BBC/Guy Levy

“But alas, Shaun your quest for professional dancing will have to wait a bit longer, because I’m going to save Jaime and Carlos,” he said, sending Wright-Phillips packing.

Yet on social media, fans hit out at Du Beke, branding his comment “unnecessary” and poorly phrased.

“Anton didn’t have to say that comment, you will be missed Shaun,” wrote one viewer, while another echoed: “Anton could’ve phrased that better, he was mean. Sean will be missed, what a lovely human.”

“Anton’s comment was very unnecessary,” read one comment, with another branding his words “just rude”.

The Strictly Come Dancing judges deliver their scores

BBC/Guy Levy

“Big Anton fan here but his comments to Shaun this week were unnecessary and unkind!” said one viewer.

Another comment read: “Was really disappointed with how disrespectful @mrantondubeke was towards Shaun. So unnecessary. By all means have the casting vote, but you don’t have to be mean.”

The Standard has contact Du Beke’s representatives and the BBC for comment.

Du Beke’s comments made reference to a challenge Wright-Phillips set himself back in the launch show, where he declared that he wanted to “try and be as good as the pros”.

On Saturday (25 October), Du Beke made another harsh comment towards Wright-Phillips’, whose footballer father Ian Wright was in the audience watching that night.

“You’ve got a great future in the dancing industry at some stage,” Du Beke told him, before adding: “As soon as you clear up the steps and the timing, I think it will all be marvellous.”

While Wright-Phillips will no longer compete on Strictly 2026, the remaining 11 couples have made it through to Halloween week, where they’ll perform a series of spooky routines in front of the live audience and British public.