Former Strictly star says Amy Dowden ‘not doing very good job’ following cancer diagnosis

| Senior TV Reporter Published October 7, 2026 10:22am Updated October 7, 2026 10:22am Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden became the first pair to go home on Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Strictly Come Dancing professional of yore Brendan Cole has weighed in on Amy Dowden’s performance on the BBC show. The 36-year-old star has been in and out of the series in recent years, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, for which she underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy. She returned in 2024, after receiving the all-clear, and was partnered with JLS singer JB Gill, but was taken to hospital during the run after collapsing backstage during Halloween week. Dowden went on to withdraw from that series entirely due to a foot injury. The following year, she was paired with Thomas Skinner, who became the first celebrity to be knocked out of the competition. She has now met the same fate this year, after she and Kim Kardashian’s hairdresser Chris Appleton were the first to go over the weekend. Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Former Strictly professional dancer Cole – who was on the show from its launch in 2004 to 2017 – has now critiqued her performance. Brendan Cole said Dowden has not been up to par in recent years (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) ‘It’s very obvious that the job has not been done, and I don’t think people are enjoying it,’ he said of her partnership with Appleton (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) Speaking to Sky Vegas, the New Zealand dancer said: ‘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. ‘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. One can do the maths on that.’ Referring to her partnership with Appleton, he added: ‘She’s standing out there counting him in. She’s counting every step for him. It’s very obvious that the job has not been done, and I don’t think people are enjoying it.’ Metro contacted Dowden’s representative for comment on Cole’s assessment. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The pair landed in the dreaded dance-off with Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) Dowden and Appleton faced off against Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu in a bid for survival on Sunday night, after both came in at the bottom of the scoreboard. Despite baring abs in a Baywatch-inspired cha-cha number, Appleton was first for the chop in a unanimous decision from the judges. He said the Strictly experience had been a ‘whirlwind of emotion’. He added: ‘The most important thing I think I’ll take from this show is having a friend in Amy, because I am so grateful that I met someone with so much heart and passion. I already wish I did better for her, because she deserves to go further in the competition.’ The Welsh pro said: ‘Watching Chris grow in confidence, although it was short-lived – only two weeks – that is what I’ll take away.’ Reflecting on her brief stint last series, she said: ‘Obviously, I’m heartbroken. This seems to be my luck the last few years, but do you know what? My heart is only breaking because I don’t get to dance with [Chris] on Monday. ‘But I get a friend for life, and that’s what’s gonna heal my broken heart.’ Deals of the Day Kurt Geiger's new Notting Hill collection is a love letter to London's chaotic weather I’ve found the Hoover gadget that could make cleaning your floors so much easier I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 Strictly Come Dancing returns on BBC One on Saturday at 6.15pm. Arrow MORE: BBC confirms brand new Doctor Who show after going back to square one Arrow MORE: All the celebrities who turned down Celebrity Traitors – and now ‘regret it’ Arrow MORE: Celebrity Traitors fans think everyone missed Joe Lycett’s ‘total foot in mouth moment’ TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.