Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden have built an unexpected friendship despite their very different personalities, much to the surprise of Strictly Come Dancing fans. Skinner, 34, faced social media backlash prior to the show over his association with US politician JD Vance and admitted to having cheated on his wife, Sinead, shortly after their wedding. Yet Dowden, 35, one of the BBC show’s most popular professional dancers, has focused on supporting her celebrity partner and sharing positive energy in rehearsals.
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The duo has been enjoying their training sessions, combining hard work with humour. Dowden has jokingly remarked that Skinner is “wearing her out” and admitted she had never felt so nervous, while Skinner described himself as “feeling great and full of energy”. Their playful interactions have set a positive tone, with Dowden praising Skinner as “really lovely, bubbly and full of life” and noting that she had “the best week” working with him.
Their rapport extends beyond the dancefloor. Dowden has spent time with Skinner’s family, including his three children, Henry, Darla and Roma, and even taught Sinead a few dance moves. Skinner shared on Instagram that his children “absolutely LOVE Amy” and called her a “little Welsh superstar”, emphasising that their friendship is likely to last for life.
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Skinner has vowed to be a dedicated partner on the show, promising to work harder than ever as they approach the first live performance. With laughter, support and mutual respect, the pair appear well placed to navigate the pressures of Strictly while maintaining a strong, positive connection both on and off the dancefloor.
