Strictly Come Dancing said goodbye to its fifth celebrity of the series on Sunday, with another big name leaving the 2023 series.
The show has announced that actress Amanda Abbington has resigned from the competition.
During her final episode, Abbington scored 31 points with a foxtrot to Fleetwood Mac's Everywhere.
The 49-year-old actress was the first celebrity contestant confirmed for this year’s show was.
But the competition will continue until a winner is crowned and here is a look at everyone that has been eliminated and those who are left.
Who is out of Strictly Come Dancing 2023?
Amanda Abbington
Amanda Abbington was forced to leave the event due to illness two weeks ago but was expected to return last weekend.
"Amanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition. The show wishes her all the best for the future," a statement said.
After showcasing a video of Abbington's greatest performances on the Strictly – It Takes Two programme on Monday evening, presenter Fleur East said: "Amanda, we are sending you all of our love."
Best known for her roles in Sherlock, Mr Selfridge, and in the recent West End show The Unfriend by Steven Moffat, Abbington has also recently taken roles in UK TV comedy feature We Are Not Alone, Netflix fantasy series Lockwood & Co. and BBC Two anthology Inside No. 9.
Speaking about her competing on Strictly, she previously said: “I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious, so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things!
“Plus, I get to learn to dance, which I am incredibly excited about. I’m really looking forward to the training, too, I’m quite competitive as my family and friends will tell you. I can’t wait to start!”
Eddie Kadi
Forty-year-old Eddie Kadi is a multi-award-winning stand-up comedian and radio presenter.
The first British Black comic to headline the O2 Arena in London, he has hosted the prestigious Mobo Awards and appeared on numerous TV formats including Blankety Blank, The National Comedy Awards, Tonight with Target, +44 Presents: The Noughties Podcast, Don’t Hate the Playaz, and Road to Afro Nation: Davido Live.
Kadi also hosts The Official Afrobeats Chart Show on BBC Radio 1Xtra and is a team captain on ITV’s entertainment format Sorry I Didn’t Know. He has been nominated this year for both the Royal Television Society Best Breakthrough Award and Best Breakthrough Presenter at the Edinburgh TV Awards.
Kadi was the fourth celebrity to leave the show.
Jody Cundy
World and Paralympic champion Jody Cundy has represented Britain at seven Paralympics, winning eight gold medals across both swimming and cycling events.
The 44-year-old has also competed in multiple World Championships, winning 23 titles, and was last year made a CBE for services to cycling. In 2021, he became the first man in Paralympics GB history to win medals at seven different games.
He was the third to leave the show.
Nikita Kanda
Kanda is currently the host of the BBC Asian Network breakfast show, and regularly reports on The One Show. She was recently nominated for presenter of the year at the Asian Media Awards.
She was the second to leave the series.
Les Dennis
The comedian and his partner Nancy Xu were the first casualties of 2023.
He only survived to perform his tango in week one.
Who is left in Strictly Come Dancing 2023?
Annabel Croft
At the age of 15, Annabel Croft became the youngest British competitor at Wimbledon in 95 years.
She still contributes to the coverage of the matches and other tennis tournaments for the BBC, Sky, Amazon Prime, ITV, and Discovery as a presenter, commentator, and pundit.
Additionally, Croft has hosted entertainment programmes like Treasure Hunt and Inceptor.
Croft expressed excitement at “swapping tennis balls for glitter balls”.
Nigel Harman
Former EastEnders actor Nigel Harman, who played Dennis Rickman in the soap, expressed his “amazement, excitement, and terror” at joining the cast.
For his work as the roguish Rickman in Walford from 2003 to 2005, screen and stage actor and director Harman garnered numerous accolades, including Most Popular Newcomer at the National Television Awards.
As Max Cristie, the clinical lead, Harman has recently joined the cast of the BBC medical drama Casualty.
Additionally, he has made appearances on television in Downton Abbey and the movie Blood Diamond, as well as in Guys and Dolls and Shrek the Musical on London’s West End, for which he received an Olivier Award.
Ellie Leach
Ellie Leach is best known for playing Faye Windass on the ITV soap Coronation Street for 12 years.
The 22-year-old has been nominated for multiple British Soap Awards and Inside Soap Awards for her role, but left the cobbles in May 2023.
“It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!” she said in a statement. “It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!”
Adam Thomas
Best known for playing Adam Baron in ITV’s Emmerdale, Adam Thomas also appeared on the 2016 edition of I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.
The 34-year-old actor then went on to co-host the spin-off series I’m a Celebrity: Extra Camp, and has recently reprised his role in BBC One drama Waterloo Road.
“I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro,” Thomas said. “Get me on that dance floor... I can’t wait!”
Angela Rippon
Former newsreader Angela Rippon will also be taking to the dance floor this autumn. The 78-year-old has a career spanning more than half a decade, from current affairs to quiz shows. She even hosted the original version of Strictly, which was called Come Dancing, more than 30 years ago.
In 2004, she was awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to Broadcasting, Charity and the Arts, then, in the 2017 New Year Honours, Angela was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to dementia care.
She currently presents BBC’s Rip-Off Britain and is a regular on Morning Live and The One Show.
“Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79,” Rippon said. “But I’m really looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentinian Tango!”
Layton Williams
Stage and screen actor Layton Williams has performed in the West End, giving performances as the title role in Billy Elliot and Everyone’s Talking About Jamie.
His other stage shows include Thriller Live, Rent, Hairspray, and New Adventures, and he is best known to viewers for playing Stephen Carmichael in the Bad Education movie and recently rebooted series.
“Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK!” Williams said. “It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!”
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
53-year-old Krishnan Guru-Murthy became the fourth contestant to be announced. Having joined Channel 4 News in 1998, he’s the broadcaster’s longest-serving current presenter, covering major events from the Omagh bombing to the 9/11 attacks and from the Arab Spring to the Ukraine war.
“I’m surprised, delighted, and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘you only live once!’ and I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude,” he said. “I know I’m going to love it and have a brilliant time and just hope I’m not the only one enjoying my participation.”
Angela Scanlon
Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon is the latest contestant to have been confirmed for the show.
The 39-year-old was announced on BBC Radio 2 on Monday.
The Irish presenter works for BBC and RTÉ, hosting Your Home Made Perfect on BBC Two and her own Saturday night chatshow Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything. She is also known for presenting on The One Show and Robot Wars.
“I’m terrified, I’m excited and I have so many questions,” she said. “Will they make me tan? How itchy are sequins?! Do they do flesh-coloured sports bras? Well, there’s only one way to find out, right!? Now I’m panicking a bit… but also secretly thrilled about the prospect of all that glitter. Let’s go!”
Zara McDermott
Best known for her appearances on reality shows Love Island and Made in Chelsea, Zara McDermott has also hosted a number of documentaries for the BBC, including Revenge Porn and Uncovering Rape Culture. The 26-year-old also worked as a government policy advisor before finding fame.
McDermott said in a statement on Monday: “I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.
“I even remember the first ever series, and being mesmerised by all the beautiful dresses! I can’t wait to throw myself into this experience and start training. It’s going to be incredible.”
How much are the celebrity contestants paid on Strictly Come Dancing?
Although the BBC has never officially released the actual amount paid to Strictly's professional dancers and judges, it has been generally claimed that the professional dancers, celebrities and judges alike receive a good amount.
The Independent reports that the professional dancers receive a salary between £35,000 and £50,000, while Strictly judges make between £200,000 and £500,000 per season.
The Mirror suggests each celebrity receives £25,000 for participating in the series and stepping foot on the Strictly dance floor. They can each earn an additional £40,000 if they manage to continue and make it past week four.
