Strictly Come Dancing 2025 second duo axed as they tearfully thank the judges

Strictly Come Dancing has said farewell to another couple as Lorraine's Hollywood coresspondent Ross King and his professonal partner Jowita Przysta foxtrotted out of the building after losing the dance off. The long running BBC Saturday night show opened with a Minecraft movie themed group dance from the professionals before the results were announced. Following the public vote, which was added to the judge's scores, the pair found themselves in the bottom two alongside EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon.

Both couples performed their routines again with Ross and Jowita dancing their Paso Doble to the theme from Thunderbirds Are Go and Balvinder and Julian doping a Foxtrot to The Way You Look Tonight from the movie Swing Time. Despite Ross and Jowita's best efforts the judges voted overwhemlingly to save Balvinder and Julian. After Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke voted Head Judge Shirley Ballas - who had the casting vote - said that she would also have chosen to save Balvinder and Julian, should she have been required to vote. His exit proved prophetic as he had been the favourite to leave this week.

Speaking to host Tess Daly following his elimination Ross tearfully said: "I have loved every single minute of it. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported us, all the people who voted - they've been amazing.

"I want to thank everyone here in this room, backstage, the judges, the crew - every single person here has made me so, so welcome.

"And, I want to thank a very special lady who has been with me through it all and has been absolutely everything: she's been a mentor, teacher, carer..." he said as Jowita quipped "barista!"

"...I could not have wished for a better partner, and I could not have wished to be on a better show. Thank you judges for all your remarks," he said.

Jowita returned the praise as Tess said: "Jowita, you called Ross 'Your King'" to which she replied: "And I still stand by it!

"Thank you so much for all of your work. For everything you have done during rehearsals. We laugh a lot - but we also cried!

"Thank you so much, and I hope I'm going to be a little part in your life forever," she said emotionally.

Ross and Jowita's departure leaves thirteen couples vying to lift the glitterball trophy. Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis and his partner Dianne Buswell received a bye for this weeks show when he was ordered to rest by doctors after being struck with illness but he will return next week.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One on Saturday nights at 6.30pm and previous episodes are available for catch up on BBC iPlayer.