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Bethany Antonia and her professional dance partner Nancy Xu have become the sixth couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2026 after losing a tense dance-off.
The House of the Dragon actress faced former Love Island contestant Cach Mercer and his partner Maddie Ingoldsby during Sunday’s results show.
Despite earning 30 points for their foxtrot on Saturday, Antonia and Xu could not secure enough judges’ support to remain in the competition.
The deciding vote went to head judge Shirley Ballas after the panel split over which couple should be saved.
The result marks the end of Antonia and Xu’s journey on the BBC dance competition. Here is how the dance-off unfolded, what the judges decided and what viewers can expect next week.
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Quick Summary: Who Left Strictly Come Dancing?
Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu were eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Here are the key details:
- Eliminated couple: Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu.
- Opposing couple: Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby.
- Dance-off performance: Foxtrot versus waltz.
- Deciding judge: Shirley Ballas.
- Final decision: Ballas voted to save Mercer and Ingoldsby.
- Next live show: Saturday, November 14, 2026.
How Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu Lost the Dance-Off
The two couples had to perform again after finding themselves at the bottom of the public and judges’ combined results.
Antonia and Xu returned to the dance floor with their foxtrot to Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis.
Their performance had earned 30 points during Saturday’s live show, putting them joint fourth on the leaderboard.
Mercer and Ingoldsby performed their waltz to That Ain’t You by Mulaa Joans. They had received 26 points from the judges on Saturday.
Both couples gave their final performances, but the judges could not agree on which pair deserved another week in the competition.
How the Judges Voted
The panel was divided when it came to deciding who should stay.
The votes were:
- Anton Du Beke: Voted to save Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby.
- Craig Revel Horwood: Voted to save Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu.
- Motsi Mabuse: Voted to save Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu.
- Shirley Ballas: Cast the deciding vote and saved Mercer and Ingoldsby.
With Ballas choosing to save Mercer and Ingoldsby, Antonia and Xu became the sixth couple eliminated from the competition.
The decision ended their run, despite their stronger score on Saturday’s leaderboard.
Bethany Antonia’s Strictly Journey Comes to an End
Antonia’s time on Strictly Come Dancing gave viewers an opportunity to see a different side of the actress.
She is best known for playing Baela Targaryen in the HBO fantasy series House of the Dragon.
Her partnership with Nancy Xu brought together her acting experience and Xu’s professional dance skills.
Throughout the competition, the pair worked to improve their technique, performance and confidence on the dance floor.
Their final foxtrot to Leona Lewis’s Bleeding Love earned 30 points, showing that they had delivered a performance the judges rated highly.
However, the dance-off brought a fresh challenge, and the pair could not convince the full judging panel to save them.
Their elimination is another reminder that a strong score on Saturday does not guarantee safety on Sunday’s results show.
Dani Dyer Tops the Strictly Leaderboard
While Antonia and Xu were preparing for the dance-off, Dani Dyer enjoyed a successful night on Saturday.
The former Love Island winner topped the leaderboard alongside her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin.
They scored 36 points for their American Smooth to It Had to Be You by Harry Connick Jr.
Their performance placed them ahead of the other couples and gave them a strong position going into the results show.
Dyer’s performance was one of the weekend’s highlights, although the competition remains open and future scores could change the leaderboard.
Strictly Marks Remembrance Sunday With Special Performance
Sunday’s results show also recognised Remembrance Sunday with a special routine performed by the professional dancers.
The performance was choreographed by Lizzie Gough and set to Peter Gabriel’s arrangement of David Bowie’s Heroes.
It was inspired by the Monument to the Women of World War II and focused on the experiences and contributions of women during the conflict.
The routine offered a moment of reflection during the entertainment programme.
The results show also featured a musical performance by Gregory Porter, accompanied by professional dancers Alexis Warr and Aljaž Škorjanec.
These performances added a different atmosphere to the evening, balancing the tension of the elimination with a tribute to remembrance.
Jaime Winstone Expected to Return Next Week
There is also positive news for viewers who have been following actress Jaime Winstone’s progress.
Winstone is expected to return to the competition next week after missing Saturday’s live show because of an injury.
Her return could change the dynamics of the competition as the remaining couples continue their attempts to reach the final.
However, her participation will depend on her fitness and ability to perform safely.
When Is Strictly Come Dancing Back?
Strictly Come Dancing will return with another live show on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
The results show will follow on Sunday, November 15.
Viewers can expect the remaining celebrities and professional dancers to return to the ballroom as the competition moves closer to its final stages.
The next shows will be important for couples hoping to avoid another dance-off.
Five Things to Know After Bethany Antonia’s Elimination
Here are the main points from the weekend:
- Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu became the sixth couple eliminated.
- They performed their foxtrot to Leona Lewis’s Bleeding Love again in the dance-off.
- Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby survived after Shirley Ballas cast the deciding vote.
- Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin topped Saturday’s leaderboard with 36 points.
- Jaime Winstone is expected to return after missing the live show because of injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing on November 8, 2026?
Bethany Antonia and her professional partner Nancy Xu were eliminated after losing the dance-off against Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby.
2. Who did Bethany Antonia face in the Strictly dance-off?
Antonia and Xu faced former Love Island contestant Cach Mercer and his professional partner Maddie Ingoldsby.
3. Why did Bethany Antonia leave Strictly Come Dancing?
The pair lost the dance-off after Shirley Ballas cast the deciding vote in favour of Mercer and Ingoldsby. Anton Du Beke had also voted to save Mercer, while Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse supported Antonia.
4. How many points did Bethany Antonia score on Strictly?
Antonia and Xu earned 30 points for their foxtrot to Leona Lewis’s Bleeding Love during Saturday’s live show.
5. When does Strictly Come Dancing return?
The next live show is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, with the results show airing on Sunday, November 15.
Trustworthy External Sources
- RTÉ Entertainment – Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing
- BBC Strictly Come Dancing
- BBC Media Centre
