Amy Dowden responds to Brendan Cole's criticism of her Strictly abilities

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 14:44 · Archive

Strictly pro Amy Dowden has responded to former pro Brendan Cole's comments that she is 'not up to the challenge' of being a show professional.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole criticised pro Amy Dowden after her partnership with celebrity contestant Chris Appleton resulted in first-round elimination. Cole, who left Strictly in 2017, told Sky Vegas: 'To be a pro on Strictly is a big job and one has to be up to the challenge. Amy has not been up to the challenge, in my opinion.' He continued by saying: 'I don't think Amy's been doing a very good job for the last few years and she's been out first for the last few years.'

Dowden, 36, who announced she was cancer-free in February 2024 after being diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer, responded gracefully to the criticism. She told the Mirror: 'I'll be honest, what do you expect from him? It's fine. 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 emphasised her commitment to using her platform responsibly, saying she works with charities and runs a dance academy where children look up to her.

Metro reports that Cole is now 'devastated' his comments have been 'blown all out of proportion'. Fellow pro and Legends of The Dance Floor co-star James Jordan told the Daily Mail: 'It wasn't what people think; he never meant it in that way, and he's actually quite upset about the whole thing.'

How it is being reported

• Ex Strictly pro ‘gutted’ by backlash after slating Amy Dowden’s dancing'He never meant it in that way.'Metro · 17 Oct, 14:24
• Strictly's Amy Dowden gives unexpected response to Brendan Cole's brutal criticism of herEXCLUSIVE: After Former Strictly star Brendan Cole said Amy Dowden was 'not up to the challenge' of being a show pro, she has hit back with graceThe Mirror · 17 Oct, 10:00

In this story: Amy Dowden · Brendan Cole · Chris Appleton · James Jordan · Strictly Come Dancing

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