Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has cast doubt on the friendship between Amy Dowden and Chris Appleton following their exit from the show, suggesting the pair may not stay in touch now that they are no longer rehearsing together.
Cole, who was a professional dancer on the programme for 14 years from 2004 to 2018, shared his views on this year's series while speaking to Sky Vegas. He said he dislikes the way the dancing couples all pretend to "love each other".
Doubts over lasting friendship
Referencing Amy and Chris's exit last weekend, Cole claimed they will not be friends for long now that they are no longer training together.
"With the contestants, they all love each other. Look at Chris and Amy when they left, 'I've got a friend for life.' No, you haven't. You've spent two weeks together in a rehearsal room. You'll probably never speak again," he said.
"This nonsense of everybody being so wonderful and everybody being so lovely. Of all my 15 partners, I probably gelled really well with six of them, was indifferent about five of them and hated the other few," he added.
"There's no reality within the reality of the television anymore. It all seems very put on."
First couple to leave
Amy and Chris became the first pair to leave the show after all four judges opted to save Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu in the dance-off.
Following their exit, the celebrity hairdresser shared a reel of their best moments on Instagram, alongside a caption that read: "I'm still terrified of dancing. Just not when I'm with Amy."
"My hands were shaking, my heart was racing, and I was sure I'd forget everything with everyone watching. Amy, you help me believe in myself when I couldn't and get out there and do it anyway!"
"That means more than you know," he added. "This is for the little boy who felt different and was afraid of getting things wrong and for anyone who's ever let that fear stop them from trying."
"You don't have to feel confident to give yourself a chance. Sometimes, you just have to do it shaking," he concluded.
Amy's tribute and next show
As part of a lengthy post, Amy also shared snaps of the pair, writing: "Our dancing journey may have ended, but our friendship certainly hasn't."
"Chris, you should be incredibly proud of yourself. Thank you for every laugh, every memory, every hug and for simply being you. I'll be cheering you on every step of the way. Love you, my friend."
The remaining 14 couples will take to the dance floor for the third live show this Saturday. Strictly Come Dancing continues at 6.15pm on BBC One.
