Amy Dowden has broken her silence after former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole criticised her performances on the show over the past few years. The 36-year-old Welsh dancer and her celebrity partner Chris Appleton became the first pair to leave the competition on Sunday night, prompting Brendan, 50, to claim she has "not been up to the challenge" of being a professional on Strictly.
Amy has now posted on social media for the first time since Brendan's comments, but chose not to acknowledge them. Instead, she shared a selection of snaps from a day spent with celebrity hairstylist Chris, 43, in the countryside. One image showed the pair ready for a day outdoors dressed in coats and wellies, while another featured them tucking into scones with jam and cream.
Amy Dowden's Social Media Response
"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," she captioned the post.
Brendan's comments came after Amy became the first professional eliminated from the competition for the second year in a row. Speaking to Sky Vegas, he said: "To be a pro on Strictly is a big job and one has to be up to the challenge."
Brendan Cole's Criticism
"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," 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."
Brendan was a professional on Strictly from its launch in 2004 until 2017, the same year Amy joined.
Fan Outrage and Amy's Journey
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, Amy withdrew from the series while she underwent treatment. She made a return the following year and was partnered with JB Gill, but was forced to withdraw from the competition after injuring her ankle. She was partnered with Thomas Skinner in 2025, but the pair were the first to be voted out.
Brendan's comments have sparked outrage among Strictly fans, with one raging: "How dare he say these awful things. Amy is immensely talented. His comments are plain cruel. Never liked his arrogant attitude."
"Having met Amy I can honestly say she is an amazing lady. I met her half way through her cancer journey & she was so upbeat you’d have thought she was perfectly healthy, not fighting for her life & her dancing career. Brendan Cole has had nothing nice to say about Strictly since he was axed," added a second.
A third commented: "Leave her alone. Don’t you think she has been through enough, and to be the first one out is taking its toll on her."
