Strictly pro Amy Dowden posts cryptic quote after Brendan Cole claimed she 'hasn't been doing a very good job' on show post-cancer battle

Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden has shared a cryptic quote about having a 'beautiful heart', hours after Brendan Cole declared she 'hasn't been doing a very good job' on the show.Brendan risked infuriating fans of the BBC show when he shared in an interview that he feels Amy 'hasn't been up to the challenge' of training another celebrity, despite bravely returning to the show after her battle with cancer.Amy appeared to allude to the comments by re-sharing a message on Instagram Stories on Wednesday.It said: 'Honey, your heart is the most beautiful thing about you. Your empathy, your kindness, your sensitivity. Protect it.'Amy also shared that she'd reunited with her celebrity partner Chris Appleton for a 'beautiful' day in the countryside.The pair enjoyed tea and scones together, with Amy posting snaps from their reunion with the caption: 'Looking slightly different to on the dance floor. Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden has shared a cryptic quote about having a 'beautiful heart,' as she reunited with celebrity partner Chris Appleton after Brendan Cole's remarks Brendan risked infuriating fans of the BBC show when he shared in an interview that he feels Amy 'hasn't been up to the challenge' of training another celebrity'Thank you @chrisappleton1 for the most beautiful day in the countryside. A day and a soul I’m so lucky to have.'Amy was the first pro to be eliminated from the BBC show for the second year in a row, after she and hairdresser Chris ended up in the dance-off during Sunday's show.Brendan remarked on Wednesday that he felt the dancer 'hasn't been doing a very good job' as a dancer on the show.Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, and was forced to miss the show later that year, before returning in 2024.Brendan's comments will no doubt cause controversy, as he 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.'Brendan told Sky Vegas: '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.' Amy appeared to allude to the comments by re-sharing a message on Instagram Stories on WednesdayAmy also shared that she'd reunited with her celebrity partner Chris for a 'beautiful' day in the countryside The pair enjoyed tea and scones together, with Amy posting snaps from their reunion with the caption: 'Looking slightly different to on the dance floor'Amy revealed in February 2024 that she was officially cancer-free as doctors told her that tests showed 'no evidence of disease'.Despite this, the dancer still has to go to the hospital for regular check-ups, monthly injections, scans and follow-up treatments as part of her five-year recovery plan. Amy was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in May 2023, and underwent an initial mastectomy.Just months later, Amy learned she had another type of cancer, which was found elsewhere in the body.Amy was paired with JB Gill when she returned to Strictly in 2024, but she was forced to withdraw from the series halfway through after collapsing backstage.Last year, Amy danced with The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, but they were the first pairing to get the boot.On Monday, Amy also shared her heartbreak that she and Chris had already been voted off the show following a Movie Week dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and her professional dance partner, Carlos Gu.Taking to Instagram, Amy shared her heartache as she posted a series of sweet snaps of the pair and added the caption: 'I honestly don’t think words can quite describe how proud I am of you...'Seeing your Strictly journey come to an end is emotional, but what I’ll treasure most isn’t the result, it’s the friendship, memories and special moments we’ve shared along the way. I know unfortunately only too well heartbreak...'But I also know that the reason it hurts so much is because of the friendship and bond we’ve formed and that’s something that isn’t going anywhere...'From the nerves, the laughter and the endless rehearsals to the moments when things felt tough, you gave everything you had...'You showed such heart, determination and kindness, and it has been an absolute privilege to share this journey with you. Strictly may have brought us together as partners, but I truly believe it has given me a friend for life...'Our dancing journey may have ended, but our friendship certainly hasn’t. Chris, you should be incredibly proud of yourself. Thank you for every laugh, every memory, every hug and for simply being you. I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way...'Love you, my friend. Love your Welsh princess as you call me xxxx.'