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

Melanie Walters and her professional partner have become the second couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2026, going out in a dance-off during Sunday night's results show.

The Gavin and Stacey actor found herself in the bottom two alongside Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr after the public vote, meaning both couples returned to the floor for the dreaded dance-off in a bid to stay in the competition.

Wright-Phillips and Warr reprised their Quickstep to I'm a Believer by The Monkees, before Walters and Škorjanec performed their Charleston to Ooh Ahh... Just A Little Bit by Gina G.

Once both couples had danced, the judges delivered their verdicts. Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Shaun and Alexis, while Motsi Mabuse opted to save Melanie and Aljaž. Head judge Shirley Ballas proceeded to side with Shaun and Alexis.

That left the deciding vote with Anton Du Beke, who also chose to save Wright-Phillips and Warr, confirming that Walters and Škorjanec would be the ones leaving the competition.

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On the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard last night, the two couples had been in the bottom places, with Walters actually having a slight edge on Wright-Phillips (by 17 points to 15).

The second time around, the ex-footballer was able to close that gap for most of the judging panel, giving him the chance to fight another week.

Walters was partnered with Škorjanec, the long-serving professional who has returned to the Strictly line-up for the 2026 series.

This year's celebrities include EastEnders star Lacey Turner, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, broadcaster Will Best and singer Delta Goodrem, who is leading the pack, with Ballas saying that she could go all the way.

More reaction from the dance floor can be found in Strictly: Lights Up, hosted by Abi Clarke and Tyler West, which is available on iPlayer from the moment the results show concludes.

Walters and Škorjanec will also join Ellie Taylor on Strictly: It Takes Two on Monday at 6:30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

The results programme also saw Ballas and Du Beke take to the floor as part of a special group performance, with two teams of professional dancers going head-to-head in a Ballroom versus Latin showdown.

There was also a performance from musician Jalen Ngonda of his song Burning Temptation, accompanied by professional dancers Neil Jones and Lethabo Monametsi.

The remaining 13 couples return next week when Strictly Come Dancing continues at 6:15pm on Saturday 17 October for Icons Week.

Strictly Come Dancing continues at 6:15pm on Saturday 17 October on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.