Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova are the latest stars to leave Strictly Come Dancing following a tense dance off against Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon.
Both couples performed their routines again during Sunday evening’s results show, with Balvinder and Julian performing their Paso Doble to Diablo Rojo by Rodrigo y Gabriela, while Chris and Nadiya performed a Salsa to Maria by Ricky Martin.
After both couples had danced for a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts, with the former rugby player and his Ukrainian ballroom partner soon confirmed as the third couple to leave.
Left with the casting vote, outspoken judge Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Balvinder and Julian.
When asked by host Tess Daly about his time on the show, Chris said: ‘I’ve loved it. I’ve had an amazing partner. For me, coming onto this journey, I had no confidence.
‘To be told I had world class qualities on the dancefloor today, even though we have to go home, that’s amazing to hear so thank you very much. It’s given me such confidence.’
Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova are the latest stars to leave Strictly Come Dancing following a tense dance off against Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
Both couples performed their routines again during Sunday evening’s pre-recorded results show before the judges cast their votes
Addressing Nadiya, he added: ‘I’m sorry. But it’s been an amazing journey, she’s been a brilliant teacher, I’ve developed so much, and it’s been a great ride – so thank you’
Turning to her celebrity dance partner, an emotional Nadiya said: ‘Chris, I have had a few wonderful weeks with you and I saw all the qualities that made you the captain of your country.
‘To watch you [go] from a non-dancer and non-performer [to then] blossom, improve and develop.’
She added: ‘On Friday night when we were here rehearsing you told me that you couldn’t wait to perform on Saturday and that’s the best confirmation that you have got that feeling and that love for dance – and that means the world.
‘Sometimes on this show you win by getting a glitterball, but I feel this year I won just getting you as my partner. So, thank you so much.’
Sunday’s results show featured a musical performance of Been a Minute by Leigh-Anne Pinnock, accompanied by a fierce group Tango performed by dancers Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nancy Xu, Jowita Przystał, Gorka Marquez and Neil Jones.
Sunday’s pre-recorded results show also featured a teaser trailer for Icons Week, with each celeb lip syncing to a quote from the musical icon they’ll be performing as next weekend.
In a recent interview, Chris discussed his mental health and how ending his rugby career impacted him before Strictly Come Dancing gave him a new lease of life.
When asked about his time on the show, Chris said: ‘I’ve loved it. I’ve had an amazing partner’
Chris and Nadiya embraced after discovering they were the third couple to be eliminated
Nadiya told Chris she had enjoyed ‘a few wonderful weeks with you and I saw all the qualities that made you the captain of your country’
‘My biggest competition is my own brain,’ he said. ‘I can’t keep letting the anxious thinking win.
‘I have to keep telling the negative part in my brain to be quiet, as the feelings of not being good enough will always creep in, and I have to tell them to go away.’
Chris went on to share that he felt as though he ‘lost’ himself after retiring from rugby, which was tough mentally.
He said: ‘I’m just loving feeling like an athlete again. It’s really hard when you leave a sport like rugby, it was my whole world and when that ends, you lose that sense of purpose and I did feel like I lost myself a bit.
‘Mentally, that’s really tough. But I’m training with purpose again, Strictly has made me feel that spark again.
‘It’s not the same as being on the rugby pitch, of course, but dancing has made me so happy.’
The eliminated pair were given a grand send-off by the show’s remaining contestants during Sunday evening’s results show
Chris said that it wasn’t until he had his two sons Wilding and Hunter, who he shares with wife Camilla Kerslake, that he was able to open up about his mental health.
‘I’ve always been quite hard on myself and I have always wanted to win because that’s what I was also conditioned to do so when I get the low scores or end up in the bottom two it feels like a game loss,’ he said. ‘It feels like I failed. Like I’ve let people down.
‘I carry that anxiety or fear. I never really used to talk about my feelings or mental health but since having the boys I think it’s been important for me to not pretend I have it all together.
‘Losing to me feels like I am rubbish like I am not good enough and I will carry the feeling of failure.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 25th October at 6:20pm, with the results show on Sunday 26th October at 7:15pm.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
Amber Davies
Age: 28
Profession: West End star
She says: ‘This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.’
