Overview
- Amy Dowden and celebrity partner Chris Appleton were confirmed as the first couple eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing after the judges saved Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu in the dance-off on Sunday.
- Former professional Brendan Cole told Sky Vegas that he believes Dowden “has not been up to the challenge” as a pro and that her teaching on the show has been weak, saying some on-screen friendships feel “very put on.”
- Both Dowden and Appleton posted supportive messages on Instagram after their exit, with Appleton sharing a highlights reel and Dowden calling their bond a lasting friendship.
- Coverage places Cole’s critique against Dowden’s public health story: she was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in May 2023, declared in February 2024 to have no evidence of disease, and has now been the first pro eliminated for two consecutive years.
- Broadcasters and tabloids flagged Cole’s blunt words as likely to draw controversy, and the exchange is set to fuel wider discussion about judging standards, presenter commentary, and sensitivity toward performers returning from illness.