Overview
- Amy Dowden and partner Chris Appleton were the first pairing eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2026 after the judges saved Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu in the dance-off.
- Former professional Brendan Cole said Dowden "has not been up to the challenge" and accused her of counting steps for her celebrity partner during performances as evidence of weak coaching.
- Cole also argued that many on-screen contestant friendships are staged, saying relationships formed in short rehearsal periods are unlikely to endure beyond the show.
- Cole linked the series’ falling ratings to the replacement of veteran pros and a new presenting trio, noting recent audience figures around 4.5–4.8 million compared with about 6.2 million last year.
- Dowden responded on social media that her friendship with Chris remains, and her comeback is viewed in the context of her ongoing cancer follow-up care; the row increases scrutiny on BBC casting and production choices for the series.