Former Apprentice star, Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden were the first couple to be votted off Strictly Come Dancing at the weekend, but fans were left furious by the pro-dancer’s early exit
Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden became the first couple to leave this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, and furious fans have all said the same thing.
Professional dancer Amy, 35, returned to Strictly last year following her battle with breast cancer, and was partnered with JLS star JS Gill. They got off to a flying start, with JB quickly adapting to ballroom, but unfortunately, Amy was forced to pull out due to an injury.
After it was announced that Amy would return to Strictly this year, fans hailed it her comeback year. However, they were left furious when she became the first to leave the competition over the weekend with her celebrity partner and former Apprentice star, Thomas, 34, alleging that the show “did her dirty” by pairing her with someone who was likely to be voted out early.
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Taking to X, formerly Twitter, to air their frustration, one fan wrote: “Not gutted to see Tom Skinner leave but losing Amy Dowden already is a blow.” A second said: “oh amy dowden im so sorry u got done dirty this season you deserved so much better.”
A third commented: “Feel so sorry for Amy Dowden, shes gone thru hell the last 2 years and done all she can to go back to work, to be paired up with someone who we all know wasn’t going to go all the way…for her to be out 1st week!!”
“I feel for Amy, not a fan of Tom but they were stitched up with that dance – everything about it was set up for failure,” a fourth penned. Another added: “Thank goodness, it is painful to watch him, although I do feel sorry for Amy Dowden being voted out so early.”
One more said: “Amy, your dancing is as good as ever and your comeback has been amazing considering what you’ve been through. You looked stunning this weekend, such bad luck to have been voted out.” Another claimed: “Amy Dowden deserved a lot more from Strictly Come Dancing partnering this year.”
On Saturday night, Amy and Thomas performed an unexpected salsa to ‘Bonkers’ by Dizzee Rascal and Armand Van Helden, featuring several successful, yet risky lifts. Despite taking advantage of Thomas’ strength to pull off the moves, and Tess Daly noting it was “probably the bravest lifts we’ve seen in Week Two”, the pair earned a mere 13 points out of a possible 40 from the judges.
Failing to creep up the leaderboard by the end of the night, the scores from the first week were combined with those from the second week, and the public vote was opened. Unfortunately, Thomas and Amy, who had a total of 29 points, found themselves in the bottom two, alongside England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his Strictly partner Nadiya Bychkova.
The two couples took part in the first dreaded dance-off of the season, and ultimately, the judges chose to save Chris and Nadiya, sending Thomas home. Reflecting on his Strictly experience, Thomas said: “I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before, and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing. It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it.
“I can’t really dance that well, but I’ve had fun! Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good, ‘cause you’re a different class.” Overcome with emotion, Amy also shared: “I’ve got to know the real Tom, and he is adorable. He’s looked after me.
“We’ve laughed so much. We’ve worked so hard and a Glitterball would have been amazing, but what I’ve learnt in the last few years is happiness, health, and being alive is more important than anything.”
She added: “I lost all confidence as a dancer – but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back and, honestly, thank you.”
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