Strictly Come Dancing 2026 fans issue warning to bosses after Chris Appleton's elimination: 'You can't just cast a random!'
Viewers have responded to Chris' exit fro the showStrictly Come Dancing 2026 bosses have been sent a stark warning in the wake of Chris Appleton’s elimination last night.
Chris and his professional partner Amy Dowden left the show after finding themselves in the dance-off.
They were in the bottom two with Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu following the first public vote of the series.
Both performed their Movie Week dances again, but the judges unanimously voted to send Chris and Amy home.
Viewers have now reacted to Chris’ elimination – and they have something to say to the casting team.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026’s fan warning after Chris Appleton elimination
Fans headed over to Reddit to discuss Chris’ exit as soon as Strictly Come Dancing: The Results had finished. They were then quick to chat about his casting on the BBC show.
The hairdresser was signed up as a celebrity due to his links with A-list stars including Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande. He also has a large social media following.
But, in the traditional sense, is not a ‘celebrity’.
One viewer wrote on Reddit: “Sad for Amy, but a lesson to the producers. You can’t just cast a random hairdresser and call him a celebrity. Of course he’d be in the dance off, literally no one knows who he is.”
Another added: “I can’t imagine he has a big fan base. I don’t know if he does content creation as well but I genuinely only know him because he was married to Lukas Gage.
“He seems to have famous mates in LA and does hair but I don’t know who he is otherwise.”
And a third wrote: “I think you have to be a young person fully absorbed in social media to know who he is. I genuinely hadn’t a clue who he was before this.”
Not everyone agreed, however.
Hitting back at the original poster, someone else said: “I feel like you’re probably a different generation and don’t realise how famous he is, everyone knows him in my generation.
“He’s not just a hair stylist, he’s an influencer and has a huge social media following.”
Amy Dowden reacts to her Strictly elimination with Chris Appleton
Chris’ professional partner Amy has now paid homage to him following their early exit from the show. She has promised him he will be a “friend for life” following their time on the BBC show together.
“I honestly don’t think words can quite describe how proud I am of you,” Amy said on Instagram. “Seeing your Strictly journey come to an end is emotional, but what I’ll treasure most isn’t the result, it’s the friendship, memories and special moments we’ve shared along the way.
“I know unfortunately only too well heartbreak. But I also know that the reason it hurts so much is because of the friendship and bond we’ve formed and that’s something that isn’t going anywhere.”
She added: “Strictly may have brought us together as partners, but I truly believe it has given me a friend for life. Our dancing journey may have ended, but our friendship certainly hasn’t.”
Replying, Chris told Amy: “I love u Amy. Getting to know you was the greatest gift.
“Thank you for being more than I could have ever wished for in a dance partner because you became a friend for life.”
Read more: Matt Willis hits back at Strictly criticism as he insists wife Emma is ‘perfect’ for hosting job
