Amy Dowden and Chris Appleton reunited on Instagram to perform a famous Dirty Dancing lift after their early departure from Strictly Come Dancing. This public show of solidarity follows sharp criticism directed at Dowden by former professional dancer Brendan Cole.
The 'No One Puts Amy in the Corner' Instagram Tribute
Following their elimination from the competition, Chris Appleton used Instagram to praise Amy Dowden for the time they spent together as partners. The pair shared a video of themselves performing the iconic lift from Dirty Dancing,set to the song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." According to the report, Chris Appleton noted that Amy Dowden managed to perform the lift over 50 times without dropping him, emphasizing a bond of trust and friendship.
The celebratory post serves as a poignant coda to a difficult run on the BBC show. Amy Dowden and Chris Appleton were the first couple to be eliminated from the current series , having lost a dance-off to Jaime Winstone and her professional partner Carlos Gu.
Brendan Cole's Sky Vegas Claims on Dowden's Coaching
The warmth of the Instagram tribute stands in stark contrast to comments made by former Strictly pro Brendan Cole. Speaking to Sky Vegas, Brendan Cole claimed that Amy Dowden "hasn't been up to the challenge" of training celebrity partners in recent years. He argued that Dowden's performance as a professional has declined, suggesting that she is merely "counting every step" for her partners rather than providing high-level coaching.
Brendan Cole further asserted that Amy Dowden has not been doing a "very good job" for several years, citing her history of early exits as evidence. As reported in the source, Cole believes the audience can tell when the necessary preparation has not been completed, leaving the partners looking under-prepared on the dance floor .
A Five-Year Recovery Plan and the Toll of Stage-Three Cancer
The critique from Brendan Cole ignores the significant health battles Amy Dowden has faced since May 2023, when she was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer. The diagnosis led to an initial mastectomy and the discovery of another type of cancer elsewhere in her body. While Amy Dowden announced in February 2024 that doctors found "no evidence of disease," her recovery is a long-term process.
According to the report, Amy Dowden remains on a rigorous five-year recovery plan that includes monthly injections, regular scans, and hospital check-ups. This medical context is critical, as Dowden previously had to withdraw from the 2024 series halfway through after collapsing backstage while paired with JB Gill, highlighting the physical volatility of her return to professional dancing.
The Mariah Carey Response and the Question of Professional Standards
Rather than enagging in a technical debate with Brendan Cole,Amy Dowden responded via Instagram with a video featuring a soundbite from Mariah Carey's 2009 song "Obsessed." In the clip, Dowden, wearing a siver dress, mimes the line, "And I was like, why are you so obsessed with me?" The response was widely praised by viewers who viewed the critique of a cancer survivor as unnecessarily bitter.
Despite the viral nature of the exchange, several questions remain. It is unclear if Brendan Cole's assessment is based on specific technical failures he observed or a broader disagreement with the show's current coaching standards. furthermore, the source does not indicate whether the BBC or other professional dancers have weighed in to support or refute Cole's claims regarding Dowden's professional efficacy.
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