Strictly Shocker: Why Harry Aikines-Aryeetey's Elimination Stirred Up the Ballroom

Talk about a dance-off drama! Fans of Strictly Come Dancing were left absolutely reeling after Week 7 saw a higher-scoring couple unexpectedly depart the competition, leaving many questioning the judges' decisions.

TL;DR: The Latest Strictly Ballroom Buzz

• Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and pro Karen Hauer were eliminated in Week 7 of Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
• This caused major controversy as Harry and Karen had actually scored higher (30 points) than their dance-off rivals, La Voix and Aljaz (29 points), in the Saturday show.
• All four judges unanimously chose to save La Voix and Aljaz, citing "clarity in technique" and "musicality," leaving fans "gutted" and sparking debate online.

A Ballroom Bombshell: The Week 7 Elimination Shocker Unpacked

Imagine this: you've danced your heart out, scored a point higher than your direct competitor, and yet, when it comes to the crunch, you're the one packing your sequins. That's exactly the scenario that unfolded on Strictly Come Dancing's Week 7 results show for Olympian sprinter and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-aryeetey and his professional partner Karen Hauer. Their exit on Sunday, November 10, 2025, after the dance-off, sent shockwaves through the fandom.

The infamous dance-off is a high-pressure moment. After Saturday's main show, where couples perform and receive their scores from the judges, those with the lowest combined judges' scores and public votes land in the bottom two. They then re-perform their routines, and the judges alone decide who stays and who goes. This week, it was Harry and Karen's Samba against La Voix and Aljaz's Foxtrot, a showdown no one quite predicted the outcome of.

Judges' Verdict Sparks Intense Debate: Technique Versus Performance Nuances

On Saturday's show (November 8, 2025), Harry and Karen earned 30 points for their Samba, a respectable effort that placed them above La Voix and Aljaz, who found themselves at the very bottom of the leaderboard with 29 points. Yet, when they faced off again in the Sunday results, the tables turned dramatically. All four judges – Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, and Motsi Mabuse – made the unanimous decision to save La Voix and Aljaz. Motsi, who held the casting vote, confirmed she would have also saved them had her vote been needed.

The judges offered specific reasons for their choice. Head judge Shirley Ballas highlighted "the degree of clarity in technique" in La Voix's performance, while Anton Du Beke praised their "musicality." Craig Revel Horwood, known for his critical eye, noted their "improvement." These fine distinctions in the live dance-off performance evidently overshadowed the one-point lead Harry and Karen held from the previous night's scoring.

Fans Cry Foul: Was It a 'Personality Contest' or a Fair Call in the Ballroom?

The decision immediately ignited a firestorm across social media, with many viewers feeling "gutted" by Harry and Karen's departure. Comments on X (formerly Twitter) ranged from "Don’t understand why judges marked Harry higher on the night but sent him home. It’s a personality contest not a dance contest" to "nah going for la voix instead of harry was DIABOLICAL, he was clearly better and had a much better and fun dance." (Source: ChronicleLive, "Strictly Come Dancing result controversy as higher scoring star axed from BBC show," November 9, 2025).

This widespread sentiment suggests a perceived disconnect between the scores given on Saturday and the judging in the dance-off. For many viewers, the sheer entertainment and effort Harry brought, including his "dancing pecs" (as noted by The Canary, "Strictly Come Canary, week six: time to cancel my TV license – as Harry is out," November 9, 2025), felt undervalued. It's a classic `Strictly` trade-off: sometimes a technically cleaner, even if less showy, re-performance can sway the judges, regardless of previous scores or fan favourites.

However, it wasn't a completely one-sided reaction. While many were surprised, some viewers weren't. As one fan on X put it, "Kind of expected both of these in the bottom this week," with another agreeing that it was "The correct result. I'm sad for the person who left, but I feel that their time on the show was up when you consider the standard of the competition at this stage." (Source: Cosmopolitan, "Strictly fans fume over leaked Dance Off results", undated but covering the same event). This highlights the inherent subjectivity in dance judging and how public opinion can diverge.

Example: The Home Viewer's Dilemma

Imagine Sarah, a dedicated Strictly viewer, settling down for the Sunday results. She'd meticulously followed the scores from Saturday, mentally tallying her favourites. When Harry and La Voix land in the bottom two, she's already thinking Harry has the edge with his higher score. As the dance-off unfolds, she's focused on Harry's energy and Karen's choreography. But then, the judges' verdicts roll in, one by one, favoring La Voix. Sarah leans back, genuinely perplexed. "How can he score higher and still go?" she wonders, reflecting the very real confusion many fans felt, grappling with the show's complex scoring and elimination process.

Harry and Karen's Emotional Farewell: A Journey of Growth and Gratitude

Despite the controversy, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey handled his elimination with immense grace and emotion. Speaking to Tess Daly, he fought back tears as he thanked Karen, crediting her with giving him "an opportunity to shine." (Source: The Independent, "Harry Aikines-Aryeetey issues emotional message after Strictly exit," undated). He reflected on his journey from Olympic sprinter and Gladiator to dancer, acknowledging Karen's understanding of his "crazy brain" and his logical approach to an art form. He called the experience a "dream come true" and emphasized it was "a celebration," even mentioning his five-year-old daughter, Aubrée-Isla, and how he wanted to show her "there's always a silver lining."

"I think, first things, I just want to thank Karen, genuinely, you have given me an opportunity to shine. You've understood my crazy brain. I'm such a logical person, trying to dance - and obviously doing what I do - Olympic sprinter, Gladiator - now I'm trying to be a dancer."

— Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, on his Strictly journey

Karen Hauer, his professional partner, reciprocated the sentiment with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram and during the show. She expressed "extreme pride" for Harry, highlighting his qualities as a "gentleman" and a "hard worker." She confessed, "I loved you in every kind of way because of the person that you are, and it was an honour to teach you." (Source: Devon Live, "Strictly star shares emotional message after fans left 'gutted'," November 10, 2025). This mutual respect underscored the genuine bond formed during their seven weeks in the competition.

More Than Just Steps: What This Means for the Remaining Competition

Harry and Karen's departure means that only eight couples are now left in the fierce race for the Glitterball trophy. This week's drama, particularly the public outcry, serves as a potent reminder that while judges' scores are crucial, the dance-off is a fresh slate. Performers need to be pitch-perfect when it counts most, and even a slight wobble can change everything. Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington, for instance, soared to the top of the leaderboard in Week 7 with an incredible 39 points (including their first 10s!), closely followed by Amber and Nikita on 38. Their high bar only intensifies the pressure on every remaining couple.

Practical Takeaways for Fellow Dance Fanatics

• Expect the Unexpected: Strictly's dance-off system means no couple is truly safe, regardless of their Saturday night scores.
• Judge's Eye vs. Viewer's Heart: Be ready for the judges' technical assessment in the dance-off to potentially override public sentiment or previous week's scores.
• Emotional Impact is Real: Beyond the scores, the journey on Strictly for celebrities and pros is clearly deeply personal and often emotional.
• The Race is Heating Up: With only eight couples left, every performance from here on out will be under intense scrutiny as Blackpool and the final draw closer.

FAQ: Your Quick Guide to Strictly Come Dancing When does Strictly Come Dancing air next? The next live show for Strictly Come Dancing is scheduled for Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 6:25 pm GMT. The results show will follow on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 7:15 pm GMT. Where can I watch Strictly Come Dancing? You can catch all the action live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK. Both of the weekend's episodes are typically available on BBC iPlayer shortly after they air. Who are the current judges on Strictly Come Dancing? The judging panel consists of Shirley Ballas (Head Judge), Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, and Motsi Mabuse. How many couples are left in the competition? Following Harry and Karen's elimination, eight couples remain in the running for the Glitterball trophy.

Sources

• The Independent: "Harry Aikines-Aryeetey issues emotional message after Strictly exit" (Undated)
• ChronicleLive: "Strictly Come Dancing result controversy as higher scoring star axed from BBC show" (November 9, 2025)
• The Canary: "Strictly Come Canary, week six: time to cancel my TV license – as Harry is out" (November 9, 2025)
• Hello Magazine: "Strictly bids farewell to fan-favourite couple following moving Remembrance pro dance" (November 9, 2025)
• Devon Live: "Strictly star shares emotional message after fans left 'gutted'" (November 10, 2025)
• Cosmopolitan: "Strictly fans fume over leaked Dance Off results" (Undated)