FORMER Apprentice star Thomas Skinner has become the first celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
The 15 new celebrities performed live in front of the judges - Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas - for just the second time this series (23) on Saturday (October 4) night.
Actress Alex Kingston and her partner Joahannes Radebe recorded the highest score of week two, with a 31 from the judges for their Samba (to La Bamba by Connie Francis).
While it was Skinner and Amy Dowden who found themselves with the lowest score, receiving 13 after performing a Salsa to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal and Armand Van Helden.
Thomas Skinner becomes first celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2025
Following the public vote, Skinner and Dowden found themselves in Sunday's dance-off along with former England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova.
Both couples performed their dances from Saturday night again, with Robshaw and Bychkova performing a Viennese waltz to Die With A Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
Following both dances, judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood all voted to save Robshaw and Bychkova.
This meant Mabuse did not need to use her casting vote, but said she would have voted the same way.
With Robshaw and Bychkova safe, it meant Skinner and Dowden were the first couple to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
Speaking about his time on the show, Skinner said: "I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing.
"It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I can’t really dance that well but I’ve had fun! Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good, ‘cause you’re a different class."
Every Strictly Come Dancing winner (2004-2024)
Dowden added: "I’ve got to know the real Tom and he is adorable. He’s looked after me.
"We’ve laughed so much. We’ve worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing, but what I’ve learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything. I’ve made a new friend for life and I wouldn’t change a thing.
"There is a ballroom boy in there, so I’m a bit gutted he didn’t get to do the ballroom, but the last three years, as you know, have been quite difficult for me.
“I lost all confidence as a dancer – but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back and, honestly, thank you."
Skinner and Dowden will appear on Strictly: It Takes Two on Monday (October 6) at 6.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
The remaining 14 couples will take to the dancefloor next Saturday (October 11) for movie week.
Strictly Come Dancing returns at 6.05pm on Saturday (October 11) on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
