Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Vincent Simone has shared his thoughts on the pairing of Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner, defending the controversial match-up. Speaking to the Mirror, Simone admitted he was initially surprised by the pairing, describing Skinner as a 'lads' lad' and Dowden as 'super elegant and classy'. However, after seeing them together, he changed his mind, saying: 'I think it can work and be fun, and the producers did a great job there. I think they're going to be a great pairing.'
The pairing has divided fans, with some criticising Skinner's past behaviour, including an admitted affair shortly after his marriage. Dowden returns to the show following her cancer treatment and foot injury, adding further scrutiny to the match. Simone, who starred on Strictly from 2006 to 2012, also shared his early predictions for this year's cast, picking Alex Kingston as his favourite, alongside La Voix and Vicky Pattison as strong contenders.
Simone also commented on Dianne Buswell, who is making history as the first professional dancer to compete while pregnant. He noted that her partnership with Stefan Dennis would likely focus on elegant dancing rather than acrobatics, which he described as 'perfect for her at this stage of her pregnancy'. Addressing the show's future, Simone expressed confidence, saying: 'People love it, and I think it will go on for another 10 years at least.'
