Who left Strictly tonight? Bethany Antonia’s exit explained, November 8, 2026

Last verified: November 8, 2026, at 9:08 p.m. UTC (9:08 p.m. GMT in London).

Bethany Antonia and professional partner Nancy Xu left Strictly Come Dancing in the results show broadcast on Sunday, November 8, 2026. They were the sixth couple eliminated after a dance-off against Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby, who remain in the competition.

The judges were split over which pair to save. Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse chose Antonia and Xu, while Anton Du Beke chose Mercer and Ingoldsby. Head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and saved Mercer and Ingoldsby, according to Media Mole’s report on the result.

Destaques

• Antonia and Xu repeated their foxtrot to Leona Lewis’s “Bleeding Love” in the dance-off.
• Mercer and Ingoldsby performed their waltz to Mulaa Joans’s “That Ain’t You” again.
• Antonia and Xu had scored 30 points on Saturday and were tied for fourth on the judges’ leaderboard.
• The next live show is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, ahead of Blackpool Week.

What happened in the Strictly dance-off?

The two couples returned to the floor after the judges’ scores and viewers’ votes had been taken into account. Antonia and Xu reprised their foxtrot, while Mercer and Ingoldsby danced their waltz again. The judges then chose which couple they wanted to keep in the contest.

With the first three judges split two votes to one in favor of Antonia and Xu, Ballas’s choice settled the result. Her decision to save Mercer and Ingoldsby meant Antonia and Xu’s competition came to an end. The result was reported by the Press Association and Media Mole.

Saturday’s scores show why the dance-off could not be predicted simply by looking at the judges’ leaderboard. Antonia and Xu earned 30 points and were tied for fourth, while Mercer and Ingoldsby scored 26 and were tied at the bottom. The leaderboard was only one part of the process: the public vote was also taken into account before the dance-off was decided.

Why did Bethany Antonia leave Strictly after scoring 30?

A score of 30 put Antonia and Xu above several couples on the judges’ Saturday leaderboard, but it did not guarantee their safety. Once the judges’ standings and the viewers’ votes were combined, they were among the couples required to dance again. The judges then made the elimination decision on the dance-off.

The result does not reveal exactly how many people voted for either couple. Nor does the leaderboard alone establish how every viewer voted. What is clear is that Antonia and Xu reached the dance-off despite being tied for fourth on the judges’ scores, and Ballas’s deciding vote sent their opponents through.

It was another difficult results show for the pair. The previous week, they had survived a three-couple dance-off that ended with Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystał leaving. Antonia and Xu returned with a ballroom routine for week seven, but their second consecutive appearance in the dance-off ended their run.

Who is Bethany Antonia and who was her Strictly partner?

Antonia is an actor known to many viewers as Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon. The role connects her to the fantasy series set in the world of Game of Thrones; she discussed playing Baela on the show’s official podcast.

On Strictly, she competed alongside Nancy Xu. Their week-seven foxtrot offered a different style from the jive they performed during Halloween week. For viewers searching for Antonia after the results show, her connection to the program was as a celebrity contestant, rather than as a judge or presenter.

When is Strictly Come Dancing on next?

The next live show is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, at 6:25 p.m. GMT in London (UTC+00:00) on BBC One. The following results show is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, at 7:15 p.m. GMT in London (UTC+00:00), according to the Press Association report. Broadcast schedules can change, so viewers should check the BBC’s listings closer to transmission.

The remaining couples will be dancing for a place in Blackpool Week. Mercer and Ingoldsby are still in contention after being saved; Antonia and Xu will not compete in the next round. Whether any particular couple reaches Blackpool depends on the next performances, scores and result.

Frequently asked questions

Who left Strictly on November 8?

Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu were the sixth couple eliminated from the 2026 competition.

Who did Bethany Antonia face in the dance-off?

She and Nancy Xu faced Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby. The judges’ decision saved Mercer and Ingoldsby.

What did Bethany Antonia dance?

Antonia and Xu performed a foxtrot to “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis. They scored 30 points on Saturday and repeated the routine in the dance-off.