Former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner and professional dancer Amy Dowden have formed an unexpected bond despite their very different personalities. Social media was divided over the pairing following the first live show, especially after Skinner courted controversy before stepping on the dancefloor. He faced criticism over his links to US vice president JD Vance, left a Strictly press conference early, and admitted to cheating on his wife, Sinead, shortly after their wedding.
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Despite the drama, Dowden has remained focused and positive, supporting her celebrity partner through rehearsals. She has been praised as one of the BBC show’s most popular dancers and celebrated for sharing her breast cancer journey. The pair have brought laughter to training sessions, with Dowden joking that Skinner was “wearing her out” while he appeared happy-go-lucky, describing himself as “feeling great and full of energy.”
Dowden has spoken highly of Skinner on social media, calling him “really lovely, bubbly, full of life” and sharing that they had “the best week” together. She posted that he was “working so hard and loving learning to dance more than he ever imagined” and highlighted how much fun they had during rehearsals. Their playful and encouraging dynamic has been praised by fans, reflecting a strong professional and personal connection.
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The friendship has extended beyond the studio, with Dowden spending time with Skinner’s family, including his three children, Henry, Darla, and Roma. Skinner shared on Instagram how well his children got along with Dowden, calling her a “little Welsh superstar” and promising to be the “hardest worker” for their upcoming live show. Their rapport suggests that both are committed to making their Strictly journey a success.
