Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters and her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec have become the second couple to leave the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing after losing Sunday’s dance-off.
The 64-year-old actress found herself in danger after scoring 17 points during Saturday’s live show. She faced former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and his partner Alexis Warr, who had finished at the bottom of the leaderboard with 15 points.
Both couples returned to the dance floor for a second performance, but the judges ultimately decided to save Shaun and Alexis.
Walters was eliminated after her Charleston to Gina G’s Ooh Ahh… Just a Little Bit failed to secure enough support from the judging panel.
Three Judges Save Shaun Wright-Phillips as Motsi Mabuse Backs Melanie
The judges were divided when it came to deciding which couple should remain in the competition.
Motsi Mabuse voted to save Walters and Škorjanec, but Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke all chose Wright-Phillips and Warr.
The three-to-one decision sealed Walters’ departure, despite her efforts to remain in the competition.
The elimination marked the end of her Strictly journey after an additional week on the show, something she acknowledged during her emotional farewell.
Melanie Walters Fights Back Tears During Emotional Farewell
Appearing close to tears as she reflected on her experience, Walters admitted she had expected to leave the competition the previous week.
“Well, to tell you the truth, I thought I was going to be out last week, so I have had an extra week with this wonderful soul,” she said, referring to her professional partner.
Škorjanec also paid tribute to the actress, praising her professionalism, commitment and work ethic throughout their time together.
He explained that it was difficult to find the right words in the moment, before telling Walters that she had shown him what hard work really meant.
The professional dancer recalled how they had started each day by encouraging each other to have the best day possible.
He thanked her for every rehearsal and every step they had shared on the dance floor, before the pair embraced.
They then returned to the floor for one final twirl, with Walters wishing the remaining contestants well as the competition continued.
Melanie and Aljaž Set for Strictly It Takes Two Appearance
Following their departure, Walters and Škorjanec are scheduled to appear on Strictly It Takes Two on Monday at 6.30pm.
Their exit leaves 13 couples preparing for the next round, which will feature Icons Week.
The remaining contestants will take on performances inspired by well-known music figures as they attempt to impress the judges and avoid elimination.
Craig Revel Horwood Calls Shirley Ballas a ‘Fun Sponge’
Walters’ departure followed a Saturday night show that also generated controversy over the judges’ scoring, particularly the criticism directed at head judge Shirley Ballas.
Craig Revel Horwood described Ballas as a “fun sponge” after she delivered a tough assessment of Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb and his professional partner, Jowita Przystal.
The pair performed a rumba, a dance for which Ballas is widely regarded as an expert.
However, the head judge was unimpressed, describing the routine as “not my cup of tea” and criticising its footwork and the amount of time spent standing still.
She explained that she had awarded an additional point because the couple had achieved one particularly good line.
Anton Du Beke disagreed with her assessment, saying he liked the style of rumba they had performed. Horwood then praised Robb’s storytelling and talent while repeating his criticism of Ballas’ approach.
Motsi Mabuse joked about the tension between her fellow judges, saying she felt like a child having to help her parents through a divorce.
Shirley Gives Lawrence Robb Four Points as Viewers Protest
The disagreement was reflected in the judges’ scores.
Horwood and Mabuse each awarded Robb and Przystal five points, while Du Beke gave them six. Ballas awarded the couple just four, leaving them with a total of 20 points.
Her assessment prompted criticism from viewers on social media, with some arguing that the actor should not be blamed for aspects of the choreography.
One viewer said they intended to vote for Robb because a celebrity contestant should not be held responsible for poor choreography.
Another argued that Ballas could have been gentler, noting that Robb had performed a rumba in front of a large television audience for the first time.
A further critic questioned why Ballas appeared to have become as severe as Horwood, traditionally regarded as the programme’s toughest judge.
The reaction added to the debate over whether the judges were applying consistent standards to the celebrity contestants.
Tabby Stoecker’s Argentine Tango Also Sparks Scoring Debate
Ballas faced further criticism later in Saturday’s programme after Olympian Tabby Stoecker and her partner Mark Karmalita performed an Argentine tango to Ariana Grande’s Hate That I Made You Love Me.
Their routine earned an enthusiastic response from the studio audience, with viewers on their feet at the end of the performance.
Mabuse said the dance had given her goosebumps and described Stoecker as a potential dark horse in the competition. Du Beke was equally enthusiastic, borrowing Horwood’s familiar expression to declare, “Love, love, love!”
Ballas said she had really enjoyed the performance and described it as unbelievable, but awarded the pair seven points.
The other three judges, including Horwood, gave them eight points each, leaving Stoecker and Karmalita with a total of 31.
Strictly Fans Accuse Ballas of Undermarking Tabby and Mark
Ballas’ score prompted another wave of criticism online, with several viewers questioning why she had awarded fewer points than her fellow judges.
One fan expressed disbelief at the seven-point score, while another argued that the couple had delivered an outstanding performance for the third week of the competition.
A third viewer suggested that Ballas’ comments appeared to focus more on personal taste and choreography than on the quality of the dancing itself.
The criticism has placed the head judge’s assessments at the centre of the latest Strictly debate, with viewers questioning whether her scoring has become too harsh.
Strictly Come Dancing Heads Into Icons Week With 13 Couples
With Walters and Škorjanec now eliminated, the remaining 13 couples will return to the ballroom for Icons Week.
The latest departure follows a weekend marked by both a closely contested dance-off and disagreements among the judging panel.
While the judges ultimately decided that Wright-Phillips and Warr deserved another chance, the contrasting scores and reactions to Ballas’ critiques have provided viewers with plenty to debate ahead of the next live show.
