Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has announced her new dance partner: TV presenter Rylan Clark. The pair will dance together for BBC Children in Need, with the routine dedicated to Rylan's mum, Linda.
Amy was part of the first pair eliminated from the main Strictly series this year, alongside celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton. This marked the second consecutive year she was first out, following her partnership with Thomas Skinner the previous year.
A 'gutted' exit and a new routine
Speaking about her elimination with Chris on It Takes Two, Amy said: “From the first day to dancing on Saturday night, [Chris] grew and grew and grew [in confidence] and I’m just gutted that we didn’t get the chance to continue.” She added: “I honestly think there was so much more to come.”
Announcing the Children in Need appearance on social media, Amy wrote: “The news is out, I’ll be dancing with the lovely @rylan this Friday for @bbccin dedicating his dance to his mum. Tune in this Friday to see.”
Fans celebrate the partnership
Friends and followers responded with support in the comments. Katherine Jenkins wrote: “OMG dream team!!!!” One fan commented: “Can’t wait to see you two gorgeous peeps grace the dance floor!!” Another added: “What a beautiful partnership!”
Some viewers called for Rylan to join the main Strictly series, with one writing: “Awesome partnership, next years main show please.” Another said: “Can’t wait to see you both, if watching Rylan move on ITT in the past he definitely has rhythm, always thought he’d be a good celeb on the main show.”
A defence of Strictly's core
The announcement follows Amy's recent comments about what Strictly means to her, made amid backlash over this year's line-up. “We need to remember the core of Strictly is not changing,” she told Mail Online. “That competition, watching the celebrities learn to dance before every weekend, that's not changing and that's the heart and the reason why Strictly has been so successful for over the last two decades.”
She added: “I'm so proud to be part of that show and it's got me through the darkest of times and I'm not sure where I would be right now without Strictly.” She also said: “The celebrities are so lovely and they're so good. We're in for a good series, let me tell you. I think it's gonna be one that you can't call it, it's gonna be so tight and so tough.”
Children in Need airs from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
