Amy Dowden and Chris Appleton put their Strictly Come Dancing heartache to one side and enjoyed a day together in the countryside, with the professional dancer admitting she needs more practice - but not with her dancing.
Amy, 36, was voted off the BBC dance show first for the second time in a row. She shared a reel of snaps with Chris, 43, showing the pair wearing flat caps and wellies in front of an autumnal backdrop. They also sat down for traditional English tea, before Amy got up close with the goats.
Amy's goat whispering confession
Amy admitted her goat whispering skills needed work after the celebrity hair stylist showed her his beloved animal. She 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 quickly replied: "Aww babe so much fun! I’m glad I got to show you the goat," to which Amy joked back: "Goat whisperer here needs abit more training." Amy also took to her Stories to release a sweet note, reading: "Honey, your heart is the most beautiful thing about you. Your empathy, your kindness, your sensitivity. Protect it."
Brendan Cole's criticism
The outing came after Brendan Cole released a number of controversial comments on her recent performances. Fans were gutted when Amy and Chris were sent packing after the first dance off of the current Strictly series. Brendan, 50, who was a professional on Strictly between 2004 and 2017, laid a good portion of the blame at Amy's feet, saying she 'hasn't been up to the challenge' of training a celebrity, despite her return after her battle with cancer.
Amy was diagnosed in May 2023 and subsequently missed competing that year, but made her return in 2024. 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. 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."
Speaking of her pairing with Chris and their efforts, he added: "She's standing out there counting him in. She's counting every step for him. It's very obvious that the job has not been done, and I don't think people are enjoying it."
