The Strictly Come Dancing ballroom bid farewell to its second star of the season as Scottish TV presenter Ross King, known for his charm on Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, was eliminated in a dramatic dance-off on Sunday, 12 October 2025. Paired with professional dancer Jowita Przystal, King’s journey on the iconic BBC show came to an emotional close after a spirited but ultimately underwhelming Paso Doble failed to sway the judges.
During Saturday’s Movie Week, King and Przystal brought a touch of nostalgia to the floor with their Paso Doble set to the iconic Thunderbirds theme. However, their performance earned a modest 19 points, landing them at the bottom of the leaderboard. Facing off against Eastenders star Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon in the tense Sunday results show, the couples reprised their routines. Sopal and Caillon’s elegant Foxtrot to “The Way You Look Tonight” from Swing Time proved the stronger contender, securing unanimous votes from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. Head judge Shirley Ballas confirmed she would have echoed their decision.
Reflecting on his Strictly experience, King was full of gratitude: “I’ve loved every single minute of it. A huge thank you to everyone who supported us, voted for us, and made us feel so welcome—the judges, the crew, everyone backstage.” He reserved special praise for Przystal, calling her “a mentor, teacher, carer, and everything I could have hoped for in a partner.” Przystal reciprocated the affection, expressing hope that she’d remain “a little part” of King’s life forever, while commending his dedication in rehearsals.
Despite the disappointment, King’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Anton Du Beke hailed him as “the most improved” contestant of the week, while Shirley Ballas praised his commitment, noting, “You gave 1,000 per cent of yourself… you can go home proud of what you’ve achieved.” Yet, with the lowest score of the night, King’s exit was not entirely unexpected, marking the end of his dazzling but brief Strictly chapter.
The results show wasn’t short on spectacle, featuring a vibrant group routine by the Strictly professionals paying homage to this year’s Minecraft movie. Adding to the evening’s magic, Chinese pianist Lang Lang delivered a stunning performance of “Reflection” from Disney’s Mulan, joined by pro dancers Nancy Xu and Kai Widdrington.
Meanwhile, Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis was absent from Saturday’s show due to illness, automatically advancing to the next round with partner Dianne Buswell per Strictly rules. Dennis expressed his regret on Instagram, promising a “rip roaring dance” upon his return. Buswell, addressing speculation about her role in his absence, clarified her position, eager to hit the dancefloor next week.
The remaining 13 couples will battle it out on Strictly Come Dancing next Saturday, 18 October, at 6:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. With the competition heating up, who will rise to the occasion, and who will face the dreaded dance-off next? Tune in to find out!