Strictly results: Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr are the fourth couple to be voted out after Craig Revel Horwood branded routine 'a disaster'

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By DOLLY BUSBY CHIEF SHOWBUSINESS WRITER

Published: 19:53 GMT, 25 October 2026 | Updated: 19:54 GMT, 25 October 2026

Former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips has become the fourth celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing.

The ex-Manchester City and Chelsea winger, 45, was given the boot alongside professional partner Alexis Warr after the judges decided to save actress Jaime Winstone in the dance-off on Sunday.

Craig Revel Horwood, 61, branded the routine 'a disaster, darling', criticising Wright-Phillips's timing and kicks, while Du Beke said the pair appeared to be dancing different routines.

Wright-Phillips, who is the son of former England striker turned sports pundit Ian Wright, admitted he had made mistakes, saying he had performed the routine perfectly during rehearsals.

Saturday night's show also saw Olympian Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita storm to the top of the leaderboard with 37 points for their Couple's Choice, earning the first 10s of the series from judges Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse.

Former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips has become the fourth celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday

The ex-Manchester City and Chelsea winger, 45, was given the boot alongside professional partner Alexis Warr after the judges decided to save Jaime Winstone in the dance-off

Australian singer Delta Goodrem also made a return to the dancefloor after missing last week's show with a rib injury, scoring 34 points for her rumba with Kai Widdrington.

Last week, former Paralympic cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, 48, and her pro partner Julian Caillon became the third couple to leave the competition after losing the dance-off to actress Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu.

But as the show rolls into another week, Strictly continues to face questions over its dwindling television audience following a major shake-up of its presenting team.

Saturday night's show attracted an average of 5.3million viewers compared to last weekend's 5.18million people – both are an overall decline from the 5.3million tuned into the launch show.

The series returned last month with Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe taking over from long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

BBC insiders have told the Mail that Strictly bosses are 'planning to change' the host line-up.

A source said: 'That view stands, it doesn't work. Not only have many of the traditional viewers stopped watching, the show has become the butt of jokes, a laughing stock.'

A BBC spokesman insisted any talk of changes for next year was 'pure and utter speculation'.

Wright-Phillips, who is the son of former England striker turned sports pundit Ian Wright, admitted he had made mistakes, saying he had performed the routine perfectly during rehearsals

Craig Revel Horwood, 61, branded the routine 'a disaster, darling', criticising Wright-Phillip's timing and kicks, while Du Beke said the pair appeared to be dancing different routines

Strictly was forced to correct an embarrassing scoring blunder live on air on Saturday night after displaying the wrong score for Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola.

The EastEnders actress, 38, had been awarded a six by head judge Shirley Ballas for her Tango to Blondie's Atomic – but an on-screen graphic showed a seven.

Host Emma interrupted proceedings before the leaderboard was revealed at the end of the show, saying: 'Before we go to the leaderboard, we need to apologise because there was a mistake with Lacey and Vito.

'Shirley scored a six but the graphic said seven. So we can confirm Shirley did in fact score a six, so the correct total score is 28.'

It capped an eventful show in which the judges appeared to be at each other's throats.

Craig told Motsi Mabuse: 'Thank you for telling me what I've already known for 22 years, darling,' during one disagreement.

He later took one of Shirley's miniature shoe props and stuffed it into her mouth, prompting presenter Josh Widdicombe to tell Lacey: 'Get upstairs because the judges are turning on one another!'

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER 

AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders 

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'

DELTA GOODREM

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'

CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'

DAME SARAH STOREY

AGE: 48

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian 

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'

BETHANY ANTONIA 

AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'

GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALL

AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'

TABBY STOECKER 

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'

MELANIE WALTERS 

AGE: 64

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.'

DANI DYER

AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'

CHRIS APPLETON

AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'

WILL BEST

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'

JAIME WINSTONE

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS 

AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'

LAWRENCE ROBB

AGE: 34

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV's Emmerdale

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!'

JOHN NELLIS 

AGE: 33

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!'

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