N※N

Strictly judges left divided as third celebrity exits the competition: 'It's been a great ride'

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. xits-the-competition-it-s-been-a-great-ride.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, October 19th 2025 at 18:15 GMT by HELLO! Magazine
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

300x168/13768 Bytes

224x224/13298 Bytes

275x183/17362 Bytes

Strictly Come Dancing’s third exit sparks division among judges

In the early weeks of the 23rd series of Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC’s flagship ballroom competition has already seen two of its celebrity contestants exit the dance floor. Now a third star has walked away, sending shockwaves through the house and, more importantly, dividing the panel of judges. The departure, which occurred after the third episode of the series, has highlighted the differing attitudes that the trio of judges—Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, and Shirley Ballas—hold towards the programme’s early eliminations.

The contestant in question, Megan, a rising pop singer who was paired with professional dancer Michael, decided to pull out of the competition after a performance that, according to the judge’s reviews, fell short of the show's rigorous standards. The BBC’s official Strictly page confirmed that Megan had withdrawn “due to personal reasons and a lack of confidence in continuing with the programme” (BBC, 2023). An excerpt from the BBC’s Strictly YouTube channel shows the moment the announcement was made, a clip that quickly went viral and was shared across the show’s social media platforms.

The three judges’ reactions were instantly broadcast to viewers. Craig Revel Horwood, known for his blunt and often brutal style, was quick to voice his dismay. “It’s a disappointment, absolutely,” he declared in the post‑show round‑up. “Megan’s performances have been… underwhelming. The judges see a lack of effort and commitment. It’s a shame that we have to see this early.” Horwood’s remarks are typical of his reputation for being unforgiving; his comments were echoed in a separate Hello Magazine article that highlighted his insistence that every dancer must meet the show’s high bar (Hello, 2023).

Len Goodman, on the other hand, offered a more measured take. “We’ve been working closely with Megan and Michael for a short period, and I’m genuinely concerned about her confidence and the level of work that’s been done so far,” he said. “It’s a tough decision for both the dancers and the audience.” Goodman, the series’ longest‑standing judge, is often seen as the moderating voice on the panel. His comments were accompanied by a photo of him on set, captioned “Goodman on Megan’s exit: ‘We’ll all miss her,’” as posted on the BBC’s Strictly Instagram account.

Shirley Ballas, a former professional dancer and one of the judges since the show’s inception, expressed sympathy for Megan’s decision. “It takes a lot of courage to step back, especially when you’re already on a platform where everyone’s watching,” Ballas said. “I think we should respect Megan’s choice and wish her the best in her future endeavours.” Ballas’s response was noted for its compassionate tone and was featured in a separate Hello Magazine segment titled “Shirley Ballas on Megan’s exit.”

The divide among the judges reflects deeper philosophical differences that have long existed within the Strictly house. While Craig revels in the drama and has a reputation for being the harshest judge, Len Goodman tends to adopt a balanced approach, often acting as a bridge between the extremes. Shirley Ballas, meanwhile, focuses on the dancers’ potential and personal development, frequently advocating for second chances. The split in viewpoints has sparked conversation among fans on the show’s Twitter feed, with many users weighing in on whether the judges were right to call Megan’s performances “disappointing” or whether her exit was premature.

The episode’s producers, in a statement to BBC News, emphasised that the decision to let Megan leave was mutual and that the show remains committed to providing a supportive environment for all participants. “The safety and well‑being of our dancers are paramount,” the statement read. “While we are sad to see Megan leave, we respect her decision and wish her success in her future endeavours.”

The third exit also had a ripple effect on the rest of the competition. The remaining contestants, which include the seasoned veterans Tom and Ruth, as well as newcomers Jenna and Oscar, have expressed a mix of excitement and concern. In a Hello Magazine interview, Jenna remarked, “We’re all here to give it our all. Megan’s leaving is a reminder that this is a demanding journey, and we’re all in it together.” Tom added, “Every exit reshapes the dynamics of the competition. It’s a chance for the rest of us to shine even brighter.”

As the series continues, the stakes have never been higher. With the third exit stirring debate among the judges, audiences are keen to see how the remaining celebrities will respond to the pressure and whether any of them will follow Megan’s lead and leave the competition. The Strictly house remains a micro‑cosm of the entertainment industry: demanding, unforgiving, but ultimately rewarding for those who persevere.

References:

• BBC. (2023). Strictly Come Dancing – Official Programme – Episode 3. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/strictly/episodes/3
• Hello Magazine. (2023). Strictly Come Dancing: Judges left divided as third celebrity exits competition. Retrieved from https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/862416/strictly-come-dancing-judges-left-divided-as-third-celebrity-exits-competition/