Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has responded to Brendan Cole's criticism with an Instagram video that fans have labelled 'iconic'. The Welsh dancer, 36, shared the clip moments before tonight's live show, showing her in a silver dress, blowing a cheeky kiss to the camera.
In the video, Amy mimed the famous Mariah Carey soundbite, 'And I was like, why are you so obsessed with me?' – the opening line of the music icon's 2009 single Obsessed, which has become a go-to for social media clapbacks. Her caption read: 'If you know, you know 😜🎀💖💃 #bekind #inaworldyoucanbeanythingbekind'.
Fans and co-stars rally behind Amy
Viewers of the BBC show flooded the comments with praise for Amy's sassy attitude. @lillyannhenson wrote: 'this is sooo iconic of you !!! 🩷' while @leahgray7 commented: 'YESSSSS QUEEN YOU TELL HIM'. @alexknightz added: 'that so called ex-pro could never, for someone who hates Strictly all he does is talk about it, he's just jealous, keep on slaying life Amy ❤️❤️'. @zoebails called it a 'perfect response', and @patricia_faulkner1962 branded Brendan's remarks 'so rude'.
Amy also had the full support of her co-stars. Actress Bethany Antonia, who is paired with Nancy Xu this series, penned: 'You're incredible. This is iconic and we all ❤️ you'. Aljaž Škorjanec commented with a laughing face and applauding emoji, and former dance partner Chris added: 'Love u ❤️'.
Brendan Cole's criticism
The response came after ex-pro Brendan, 50, who appeared on Strictly from 2004 to 2017, claimed Amy is 'not up to the challenge'. His comments followed Amy becoming the first eliminated pro of the series, as she and celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton, 43, lost out in last weekend's dance-off.
Brendan said: 'To be a pro on Strictly is a big job, and one has to be up to the challenge. Amy has not been up to the challenge, in my opinion.' He added to Sky Vegas: 'I don't think Amy's been doing a very good job for the last few years, and she's been out first for the last few years. One can do the maths on that.'
Brendan also argued that it was 'very obvious the job [had] not been done', having noticed Amy 'counting' for Chris during their routines, which he didn't think viewers were 'enjoying'. Fans were quick to defend Amy, who has been part of the Strictly family since 2017, by accusing Brendan of 'jealousy' and 'bitterness'.
Amy's recent Strictly journey
Amy has had a rocky few years on Strictly after returning to pro dancer duties in 2024, having taken 2023 off to undergo a mastectomy and chemotherapy for breast cancer. Initially, she made a strong comeback with JLS star JB Gill as her partner, but disaster struck at Halloween when she collapsed backstage and had to be taken to hospital. She later had to withdraw from the season completely due to a foot injury, with Lauren Oakley stepping in and taking the She Makes Me Wanna pop star to the final.
In 2025, she was eliminated first alongside The Apprentice's Thomas Skinner, whose casting was wildly controversial and prompted fan outrage, with many demanding 'better' for Amy. Then, Amy's 2026 journey to the Glitter Ball was cut short once more, as she and Chris landed in the bottom two and lost out unanimously to Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu after dancing for survival.
Despite giving it their all with a Baywatch-inspired Movie Week routine, Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke all voted for Jaime and Carlos, who performed a Pretty Woman cha-cha. Speaking after their elimination, Amy told host Emma Willis: 'Obviously, I'm heartbroken. This seems to be my luck the last few years, but do you know what? My heart is only breaking because I don't get to dance with [Chris] on Monday. But I get a friend for life, and that's what's gonna heal my broken heart.'
Chris also insisted they would remain in contact, adding: 'I am so grateful that I met someone with so much heart and passion. I already wish I did better for her, because she deserves to go further in the competition.' Indeed, he and Amy have already proven they want to remain in touch, as while they may not have been in the rehearsal room this week, they still spent time together at his manor in the Cotswolds.
On social media, they shared snaps from a countryside outing, posing under the autumn trees, eating scones, and exploring the woodlands. Amy captioned her post: 'Looking slightly different to on the dance floor 😜💖. Thank you @chrisappleton1 for the most beautiful day in the countryside. A day and a soul I'm so lucky to have. 🙏🩵💖' Chris replied: 'Aww babe so much fun! I'm glad I got to show you the goats 🐐😍'.
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
