Dame Sarah Storey eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing after Week 4 dance-off
The judges saved Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu; Delta Goodrem missed Icons Week with a rib injury and was given a conditional pass.
Dame Sarah Storey and professional partner Julian Caillon left Strictly Come Dancing in the Week 4 results show after a dance-off with Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu. Three judges voted to save Antonia and Xu, while head judge Shirley Ballas said she would have made the same choice. Delta Goodrem missed Icons Week after injuring a rib in training and could return the following week if her recovery allowed.
The Week 4 results sent Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon home; Delta Goodrem’s possible return depended on her recovery.
The dance-off and decision
Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon were eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing in the Week 4 results show after facing Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu in the dance-off. Storey and Caillon had scored 21 points for their Tango to Shania Twain’s “That Don’t Impress Me Much”; Antonia and Xu had earned 27 points for their Cha-cha-cha to Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”.
After the couples performed their routines again, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke voted to save Antonia and Xu. Shirley Ballas did not need to cast a deciding vote and said she would also have saved them. Storey and Caillon therefore became the third couple eliminated from the 2026 series.
Performances in the results show
The results show also featured the professional dancers in a tribute to Madonna, drawing on different eras of her career. Country singer Belles performed Dolly Parton’s Jolene, accompanied by Amy Dowden and Kai Widdrington.
The programme was part of Icons Week, in which contestants performed routines inspired by well-known music artists. Storey and Caillon’s Tango and Antonia and Xu’s Cha-cha-cha were repeated during the dance-off.
Delta Goodrem’s injury and possible return
Delta Goodrem missed the Icons Week episode after sustaining a rib injury while training with her partner, Kai Widdrington. She watched the programme from home while recovering.
The hosts said the medical team had advised Goodrem not to dance that week, but that she had received a pass. Her return the following week was conditional on her injury permitting, rather than confirmed.
Explore the background
Further reading
Selected background resources to explain the context and concepts behind this story.
Understand the Paralympic career and achievements of Dame Sarah Storey.
Sarah Storey | Strictly Come Dancing Wiki
This profile provides a factual overview of Storey's status as Britain's most decorated Paralympian, offering essential context on her athletic background before her participation in the dance competition.
Identify the professional background and tenure of dancer Nancy Xu.
Nancy Xu | Strictly Come Dancing Wiki
The page serves as a biographical reference for Nancy Xu, detailing her role as a professional dancer on the show and her history with the program, which helps distinguish her from other individuals with the same name.
Review the specific sports disciplines in which Sarah Storey has competed.
Sarah Storey
This entry offers a concise summary of Storey's athletic profile, specifying her participation in cycling and swimming, which adds depth to the understanding of her physical capabilities as an athlete.
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