Ellie was in the dance-off against EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal
Ellie GoldsteinEntertainmentStrictly Come DancingStrictly Come Dancing 2025Vito Coppola
Strictly Come Dancing hosted its Halloween spooktacular last night (November 1) – but tonight in the BBC ballroom Ellie Goldstein and Balvinder Sopal found themselves in the dance-off.

Tonight on Strictly, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealed that Ellie and Vito Coppola and Balvinder and Julian Caillon would battle it out in the dance-off.

And, after both performed their routines again – Ellie a Tango and Balvinder a Rumba – it was down to the judges to decide which couple would live to dance another day…
Ellie and Vito and Balvinder and Julian were forced to perform again tonight (Credit: BBC)

Strictly results – Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola exit the competition

Sadly for Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola, the judges decided unanimously to save Balvinder and Julian. Her exit came after a week of speculation surrounding her future in the show after rumours that she’d quit.

Before they took to the floor for their last dance, Vito told Ellie: “Honestly, there are no words I can use to describe how proud I am of you and you did really change my life so much. You made me such a better person.

“At the beginning of this year, I said to myself please, please, please can you send me a beautiful angel into my life? And now you arrived. I’ve never had a little sister but I always wanted one. Now, I have you and you’re my little sister forever, and your big brother is always by your side.”

When asked about how much she enjoyed dancing with Vito, Ellie then said: “I’ve enjoyed it so much! He is a kind person and all I wanted from day one. You have been so heartwarming, thank you to you.”
Vito paid tribute to Ellie before taking to the ballroom floor for their last dance (Credit: BBC)

Fans react

Viewers were sad to see Ellie go, but concluded that it was probably the right decision to send her home over Balvinder. However, there was sadness for Vito, who has made the final every single year since starting on Strictly.

He won with Fleur East in 2023, and was a runner-up with Ellie Leach in 2022 and Sarah Hadland in 2024.

“Crazy that this is the first time Vito’s been eliminated on Strictly,” one pointed out. “He’s been in the final every year since starting the show.” A second said: “The right choice at this stage I think, although I’m gutted to lose Vito for the first time since he joined the show.”

Others hailed Ellie’s performance on the show. “I think it could only go that way. She had a ball and was throwing herself at it. The height difference was always going to be a massive issue in hold,” said one.

Another commented: “Sad to see Ellie go. She has been fantastic and such a lovely partnership with Vito. He has been the best teacher and friend to Ellie. Be very proud of yourself Ellie.” 

Ellie and Vito will be on It Takes Two tomorrow night (November 3) at 6.30pm on BBC Two.

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