Strictly Come Dancing star suffers devastating ‘axe’ blow hours before show

1Strictly Come Dancing star suffers devastating ‘axe’ blow hours before show (Image: BBC)A Strictly Come Dancing star has been dealt a devastating blow and has been tipped to be axed from the line-up. The popular BBC show returns tonight as the celebrities take to the dancefloor with their professional partners. It comes after Chris Appleton was the first celebrity eliminated from the 2026 series of Strictly. He and his professional partner, Amy Dowden, left the competition after losing the week two dance-off. The hairstylist lost his place in the show with the judges voting to save actress Jaime Winstone.

The latest odds have revealed one show star could be the next to face the chopping block as the amateur dancer has been tipped to leave. Shaun Wright-Phillips is the clear favourite to become the second celebrity shown the door on Strictly Come Dancing, according to the latest odds from Ladbrokes. The former England footballer heads the market at 7/4 to be the next contestant eliminated from this year's competition, ahead of Melanie Walters at 5/2.

Sarah Storey is next in the betting at 3/1, while Jaime Winstone is priced at 6/1, with all other contestants available at 20/1 or bigger.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "The market suggests four celebrities are firmly in the firing line this weekend, but it's Shaun Wright-Phillips who punters believe is most likely to become the first casualty of the series."

Unfortunately for Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden and Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu, they faced the dreaded dance-off in which they both had to perform their routines again – a Cha Cha to I'll Be Ready from Baywatch and a Cha Cha to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman.

After both couples had dances, the judges delivered their verdicts and all chose to save Jaime and Carlos, meaning Chris Appleton was eliminated.

The remaining 14 couples will take to the dance floor tonight when the BBC show returns tonight.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One at 6.15pm.