Amy Dowden has rejected claims that her pairing with Thomas Skinner on Strictly Come Dancing was a move to 'protect her health' following her cancer treatment. The professional dancer, who returned to the BBC show last year after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, said she was disappointed to be partnered with the Apprentice star, who was not a natural dancer, leading to an early exit.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Dowden, 35, expressed her frustration at the speculation. 'They knew I was back to full fitness. And my medical team had given them the go-ahead,' she said. 'I'd just come off two back-to-back tours and spent the summer learning all of the professional group numbers.'
Dowden and Skinner were the first couple eliminated from the 2024 series after a dance-off with rugby player Chris Robshaw and Nadia Bychkova. The Welsh dancer admitted she was 'gutted, selfishly' because she wanted to prove that life after cancer could include a successful return to the dancefloor.
When asked why she thought producers paired her with Skinner, Dowden suggested it might have been an attempt to showcase her 'fun side'. The BBC has not commented on the pairing rationale.
Skinner's time on the show was also marked by controversy. He admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding, and later claimed he received an 'anonymous email' alleging he had more votes than shown. The BBC dismissed the claims as 'entirely without foundation'.
