Another star says goodbye to the Strictly ballroom! Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, the 37-year-old Olympian and 'Gladiators' favorite, has become the sixth celebrity to be eliminated from the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing. But here's where it gets emotional: despite his athletic prowess, Aikines-Aryeetey and his professional partner, Karen Hauer, found themselves in the dance-off against RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec. In a unanimous decision, the judges chose to save La Voix, sending Aikines-Aryeetey home.
Aikines-Aryeetey, known for his sprinting career with Team GB, expressed gratitude for the experience, calling it a 'dream come true' and a 'celebration.' He praised Hauer for her patience and dedication, saying, 'You've understood my crazy brain... I just want to thank you so much for the time and effort.' Hauer, equally moved, described her partner as a 'gentleman' and a 'hard worker,' adding, 'It was an honor to teach you.'
And this is the part most people miss: Aikines-Aryeetey’s journey on Strictly isn’t his first dance with the show. He previously participated in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special alongside Nancy Xu. His elimination follows in the footsteps of his Gladiators co-star Montell Douglas, who reached week 10 in the 2024 series.
But here's the controversial part: was Aikines-Aryeetey’s elimination fair? Some fans argue that his athletic background should have given him an edge, while others believe the judges made the right call based on the dance-off performance. What do you think? Should athletic ability be a factor in judging dance competitions?
Meanwhile, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, who has faced the dance-off three times, sailed through to the next round with a vibrant Bhangra-inspired Couple’s Choice routine. On the flip side, ER and Doctor Who actor Alex Kingston struggled, revealing her battle with numerical dyslexia, a condition affecting one in 20 people, which made performing the paso doble particularly challenging. The judges noted her lack of confidence, with Motsi Mabuse commenting on her visible insecurity.
As Strictly Come Dancing continues on 15 November at 6.25pm, the question remains: who will rise to the top, and who will face the music next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Aikines-Aryeetey deserved to stay, or was it time for him to hang up his dancing shoes?
