Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden has called her celebrity partner Thomas Skinner “lovely” amid outcry from the show’s viewers.
Fans of the BBC dancing competition have expressed frustration after Dowden, who was unable to compete in the last two series, was paired with the controversial Apprentice candidate.
After the launch show aired on Saturday (20 September), Dowden said it had been nice getting to know Skinner, whom she called “really lovely, bubbly and full of life”.
She also thanked Skinner for a great week of rehearsals and said she has been laughing lots in his company.
“The news is out! @iamtomskinner and I are excited and working hard rrrrrready for the first live show next Saturday!” she wrote.
“Tom is working so hard and is loving learning to dance (more than he ever imagined). We are laughing lots too!
Dowden continued: “Thanks for a great week and so looking forward to our Strictly journey ahead! Let’s do this.”
The dancer’s post arrived after viewers decried her pairing with Skinner, whose appearance on the show has been met with derision.
His casting came shortly after he attended a Cotswolds barbecue with US Vice President JD Vance.
During the same period, Skinner was pictured wearing a Maga (Make America Great Again) cap.
He has also faced criticism for social media posts in which he stated it is not far-right to be “flying your flag and loving your country”. He said that London was no longer safe, adding that it had become hostile and tense.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
In response to the backlash, Skinner said on X/Twitter that he has “become a target” and was being portrayed as “public enemy number one”.
Skinner added that he doesn’t regret meeting Vance, saying: “I am a normal bloke and it was an amazing opportunity.”
Dowden, who has served as a Strictly professional since 2017, was absent from the series in 2023 as she underwent treatment for stage three breast cancer.
She returned in 2024 and was briefly partnered with JB Gill until she was forced to drop out due to a stress fracture to her shin. Fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley took Dowden’s place for the remainder of the competition.
In response to Dowden’s praise, Skinner replied on Instagram: “Reallly really enjoyed training with you this week. You are honestly an amazing person and everything you have been through…. Shows how strong and inspiring you are. I promise I won’t let you down.
“I might not be the best dancer. But I promise I’ll be the hardest worker. Thank you for being so kind and lovely to me and I’ve enjoyed your company so much. I ain’t stopped laughing with ya. Can’t wait to get on that dance floor with ya next week. Bosh.”
After the show’s lauch episode, many fans particulatly praised ER and Doctor Who star Alex Kingston’s pairing with Johannes Radebe – and also predicted who they think will win this year’s series.
