Amy Dowden hits back at Brendan Cole's critical comments

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 04:20 · Archive

Strictly dancer Amy Dowden has responded to former colleague Brendan Cole's criticism of her performance on the show.

Amy Dowden has responded to criticism from Brendan Cole, the former Strictly professional who left the show in 2018. Cole claimed that Dowden had 'not been up to the challenge' of the competition after she became the first professional to leave this series, following a dance-off loss against Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu.

Speaking at Monday night's Pride of Britain Awards, Dowden told the Daily Mail that Cole had not contacted her despite having her number. She said 'the decent thing to do' would have been for him to call, describing some of the resulting headlines about his comments as 'quite upsetting'. Dowden said Cole's criticism came after her cancer battle.

In an interview with The Mirror, the 36-year-old addressed the critiques more broadly, stating: 'I've never been brought up to be personal, and in this day and age especially I think it's so important to be kind, and to think about the next generation.' She said she uses her large platform to help charities and as a role model for students at her dance academy. Dowden also posted an Instagram story dancing to Mariah Carey's 'Obsessed', captioning it with a message about kindness.

How it is being reported

• Strictly's Amy Dowden accuses Brendan Cole of 'desperately craving attention' after he made 'upsetting and cruel' comments about her dance skills following her cancer battleAmy Dowden has hit back at Brendan Cole over his criticism of her Strictly performances, accusing him of seeking 'the attention he so desperately craves'.Daily Mail · 19 Oct, 23:26
• Amy Dowden responds to Brendan Cole's brutal critiques as she stresses importance of 'being kind'Strictly dancer hits back at scathing remarks from former colleagueEvening Standard · 19 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Amy Dowden · Brendan Cole · Chris Appleton · Jaime Winstone · Carlos Gu · Strictly Come Dancing

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