STRICTLY Come Dancing star Ross King has revealed he’s quitting the UK after his BBC One show exit.
The Scottish broadcaster’s confession came after his Lorraine show presenting partner and close pal Lorraine Kelly slammed the programme for having “too many trained dancers” – and confessed she is “not invested.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s Ross King has revealed he’s quitting the UK after his show exit[/caption]
The entertainment reporter and professional partner Jowita Przystal was given the boot on Sunday’s Results Show[/caption]
His pal and Lorraine anchor Lorraine Kelly said she was ‘not invested’ in the amount of ‘experienced dancers’ on the series[/caption]
Strictly viewers saw the reporter, 63, the second contestant to be booted out of the 2025 series following his Thunderbird Paso Doble routine on Movie Week.
He was joined by EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who had finished fourth from the bottom on Saturday with 26 points for her Foxtrot.
After both couples had danced a second time, the Strictly judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig, Motsi and Anton all choosing to save Balvinder.
Head Judge Shirley Ballas – who this week was the judge with the casting vote – said that she would also have chosen to save Balvinder and Julian, should she have been required to vote.
Just hours after the elimination, Ross appeared on Monday’s Lorraine and admitted he wouldn’t be tuning into the rest of the BBC from home turf.
Lorraine said: “So now you’ll be like us, just watching” to which he said: “I’ll be watching by the pool in La La land, I’ll be back there.”
Later in the show, he again confirmed “I’ll be off now’ – before confirming he would be back later in the year.
While Ross might be heading back Stateside in the immediate aftermath of his show dumping, he will be back in the UK soon.
He will star in panto in Southend in December, featuring alongside Rylan Clark, 36, in a production of Cinderella.
During the same chat, his fellow Scot Lorraine was quick to slam some of the show’s 2025 cast.
Staying loyal to her mate, Lorraine called out the likes of Amber Davies who have entered the show with previous dance and performance experience.
She said: “Can I just say, from my point of view, I think there’s too many trained dancers in it for me.
“The reason I enjoy the show is to watch people like you [Ross] getting better and better.
“To me that’s what the show is about.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup
Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up
- Nitro from Gladiators AKA Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will be using his athletic prowess to try to win over the judges.
- Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston will be adding some drama.
- Chris Robshaw, former Harlequins and England rugby captain will be tackling the dance floor.
- EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar, has moved from Walford to the ballroom.
- Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis has landed on the show from Down Under.
- George Clarke, a YouTube star, will also be showing off his moves.
- Love Island winner Amber Davies joined as a last minute replacement after Dani Dyer pulled out with injury.
- La Voix is the first drag star to join the main series
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink swaps is football boots for dancing shoes.
- Ellie Goldstein is the first contestant with Down’s Syndrome to take part.
- Thomas Skinner is swapping the boardroom for ballroom dancing – VOTED OFF FIRST
- I’m A Celeb winner Vicky Pattison has been announced.
- Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was announced as the last contestant after Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn pulled out of the show before the launch date over medical reasons.
- Good Morning Britain host Ross King is swapping Hollywood for the ballroom – VOTED OFF SECOND
“I think there’s too many experienced people.
“And I’m like ‘OK that’s great’ but I am not invested and I’m not thinking ‘go for it.’
“With you I’m like ‘yesss Rossy’.”
SAD EXIT
When asked by Tess Daly about their time on the show on Sunday, a tearful Ross said: “I have loved every single minute of it. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported us, all the people who voted – they’ve been amazing.
“I want to thank everyone here in this room, backstage, the judges, the crew – every single person here has made me so, so welcome.
“And, I want to thank a very special lady who has been with me through it all and has been absolutely everything: she’s been a mentor, teacher, carer…
“I could not have wished for a better partner, and I could not have wished to be on a better show. Thank you judges for all your remarks.”
Tess then turned to Jowita and said “Jowita, you called Ross ‘Your King’”.
Jowita then said: “And I still stand by it! Thank you so much for all of your work. For everything you have done during rehearsals.
“We laugh a lot – but we also cried! Thank you so much, and I hope I’m going to be a little part in your life forever.”
Soon after the Results Show ended, Ross took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes pictures from Saturday evening with his Strictly pals.
He captioned the snaps: “There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude for this amazing opportunity.
“Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with me – the Strictly cast and crew, friends, family, my wonderful dance partner Jowita, and most importantly, to the fans.
“You kept me inspired with your kind words and kept me in the competition with your votes.
“I hope like me, you’ve been inspired to try something new and as always, keep dancing!”
The pair performed a Thunderbirds Paso Doble during Movie Week[/caption]
Lorraine was quick to call out the inclusion of the likes of experienced dancers such as Amber Davies on the show[/caption]
