Strictly Come Dancing fans predict ‘shock bottom two’ after Shaun Wright-Phillips curveball

| Metro columnist Published October 17, 2026 8:53pm Updated October 17, 2026 8:53pm Shaun Wright-Phillips may have saved himself from elimination on Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: BBC) Strictly Come Dancing fans are predicting a ‘huge upset’ tomorrow after Shaun Wright-Phillips pulled out an absolute blinder. The former footballer and his partner Alexis Warr sank to the bottom of the leaderboard last week with their Quick Step and subsequently found themselves in the dance-off against Gavin and Stacey’s Melanie Walters. The odds were stacked against him going into Icons Week but his Couple’s Choice routine to James Brown was unrecognisable to anything we’ve seen from him so far, packed with flips, kicks, rhythm and even a perfectly executed moonwalk. It was by far his best performance and the judges agreed, giving the former England player an impressive score of 28. Shaun said he was ‘blown away’ by the comments from the judges. ‘We picked this dance because we wanted to bring joy and excitement not just to the audience here but the ones watching on TV as well and that’s exactly what he dance is about,’ he said. Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Viewers at home were convinced he’s done more than enough to make it through another week and we’re in for the first big upset of the series. Shaun’s Couple’s Choice went down a storm with the judges and Strictly fans (Picture: BBC) ‘I feel we may be in for a shock dance off this week after that Couples Choice from Shaun & Alexis,’ wrote on viewer on X, while another agreed: ‘Something tells me shaun won’t be in the dance off tonight.’ So with Shaun looking like he’ll live to dance another dance, there’s a lot of Strictly fans in panic for their favourites. ‘Shaun scoring higher then Dani God I’m scared,’ wrote on fan of the Love Island star, which was echoed by many more who felt she was criminally undermarked for her Rumba after receiving just 25 points. ‘Dani has been done dirty this week,’ fumed one viewer while another pleaded: ‘PLEASE vote for Dani and Nikita if you want to keep them out of the dance off, they’ve been very unlucky this week and it would be a shame for them to go this soon!!!’ Strictly fans fear for Dani Dyer after she performed in the ‘death slot’ (Picture: BBC) What’s more, Dani and her partner Nikita Kuzman were also in the ‘death slot’, which has been coined by viewers to describe performing second. Others predicted she could be joined in the dance-off by another favourite, Bethany Antonia and her partner Nancy Xu. ‘Oh no. With Jaime doing well and Shaun scoring high with a couple’s choice I think Bethany and Nancy could be in BIG trouble tonight. I’m scared. The last thing I need right now is them going home,’ wrote one fan in despair while another said’: Dani and Bethany in the dance off for me!!’ Paralympian Dame Sarah Story plummeted to the bottom of the leaderboard this week after two consecutive weeks of showing promise, with Dani just one spot above her. At the other end of the scale, Cach Mercer and Jaime Winstone both came out on top with 34 points each. Delta Goodrem topped the leaderboard last week but was forced to skip tonight’s round of the competition after sustaining a rib injury in training. Presenters Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe paid tribute to the Aussie singer, which she watched from home and burst into tears. Deals of the Day See London's Christmas lights from an open-top double-decker bus this winter My skin always suffers when the heating goes on but this serum changed that The skincare formula that finally took the guesswork out of my routine Families can save up to 20% on summer 2027 holidays in Club Med's four-day sale Cold mornings are coming and this is the dressing gown I want to live in Strictly Come Dancing continues tomorrow night on BBC One. Arrow MORE: The Graham Norton Show sparks backlash after ‘awkward’ Ellen DeGeneres interview Arrow MORE: Ex Strictly pro ‘gutted’ by backlash after slating Amy Dowden’s dancing Arrow MORE: DIY SOS dealt crushing blow as part of BBC’s £500,000,000 ‘savings challenges’ TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.