The Emmerdale actor and his professional dance partner missed out on a spot in next week’s semi-final

Lewis Cope’s elimination from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing has prompted a flood of outraged reactions from BBC viewers watching at home.

Despite being one of the frontrunners for the Glitterball Trophy during his stint in the ballroom, Musicals Week proved to be his downfall after his West Side Story-inspired Salsa failed to reach the high standards he’d set himself previously.

On Saturday evening, Mr Cope found himself joint-second with Balvinder Sopal and George Clarke on the leaderboard, just one point above the bottom-placed Karen Carney.

Combined with the results of the public vote, Mr Cope found himself in the dreaded dance-off. However, in a rather surprising turn of events, he was up against Amber Davies, despite her topping Saturday’s leaderboard. with a perfect 40.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope faced Amber Davies in the dance-off

The soap star and his Love Island winner co-star had to perform their routines once again, with Ms Davies repeating her perfect-scoring Charleston alongside dancer Nikita Kuzmin.

After Mr Cope and Katya Jones wheeled out their Salsa once more, it was left to the judges to decide who deserved a spot in next week’s semi-final.

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Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood all threw their support behind Ms Davies. Motsi Mabuse, who had this week’s casting vote, should it have been tied, also said she’d have sent Mr Cope home.

The actor joined host Tess Daly once the writing was on the wall to reflect on his time on the show. “It’s been more than I could have ever wished for,” he began to Ms Daly.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones were eliminated from the show

“If someone would have said that I’d have done 11 weeks on the show at the beginning, I’d have been over the moon and snap their hand off.

“So, thank you to the full show, to everyone for having a space where people can be themselves, grow, learn, express themselves.

“It’s been incredible and a memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life, and I think it’s all down to you,” he added, gesturing towards Ms Jones.

He paid tribute to his pro partner further: “You’ve literally given me absolutely everything I could wish for as a friend, as a teacher, and yeah, I couldn’t imagine it with anybody else. So, thank you very much.”

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones were embraced by their co-stars

Ms Jones was equally full of praise for the actor. “I think you have created so many moments for Strictly Come Dancing that will be in the history books and you will be remembered as one of, if not, the best male celebrity we’ve ever had on the show,” she said.

“But also you will be remembered for being an incredible person you are. Kind and genuine people still exist – what a gentleman you are, so humble and so kind.

“And I’m so glad that we had a chance to see you and showcase your talent and what a beautiful person you are to the world. Thank you.”

Mr Cope rounded off the discussion by applauding the support he’s received during his time on the programme.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones shared one final dance

While Mr Cope was all smiles and took his exit graciously, several at home weren’t as understanding.

Taking to X once the result was confirmed, one fan fumed: “To dance to music without lyrics. Difficult. To dance in amongst professional dancers, keep up, and not get lost in amongst it. Difficult. Lewis, I am so very sorry you were pushed too far. #Strictly.”

“Yep, I’ve never watching again #Strictly,” a second added, while a third hit out: “Did he have the worst routine of the night? Yes. Did he deserve to be in the finals? ALSO YES!! We’ve been robbed. They’d have done the Charleston again in the finals…I can’t #Strictly.”

Elsewhere, a fourth echoed: “Lewis provided two of the BEST DANCES we’ve ever seen on #Strictly this series. Even if he didn’t run he deserved to be in the final. This is a travesty that he’s gone. Also KATYA is a genius choreographer. Gutted for her.”

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones were applauded by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman

|A fifth concurred: “Oh my that was the most ridiculous dance off in #Strictly history. The person who went home is the best dancer to have not won.”However, others did wade into the online debate to throw their support behind Ms Davies given she made it through to the semis.

One X user commented: “Amber and Nikita are semi finalists whether the trolls like it or not, this competition would be boring without iconic dances like her Charleston! She deserves to go all the way to the final #strictly.” (sic)

The reaction to Mr Cope and Ms Jones’s elimination from the contest shouldn’t come as a surprise, given the reception the leaked result received earlier today.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones’s Salsa failed to win over the public

Much like most of the series so far, the BBC competition was plagued by online spoilers yet again, meaning fans were able to access the results before Sunday’s show.

Once news of Mr Cope’s exit emerged online, several who’d seen it branded it the “biggest shock in Strictly history”, while others similarly claimed they had been robbed.