Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has shared a cryptic quote about having a "beautiful heart", just hours after former show dancer Brendan Cole declared she "hasn't been doing a very good job" on the BBC programme.
Cole risked infuriating fans of the Saturday night dance contest when he claimed in an interview that he feels Dowden "hasn't been up to the challenge" of training a celebrity partner.
Dowden appeared to allude to the comments by re-sharing a message on Instagram Stories on Wednesday.
The post said: "Honey, your heart is the most beautiful thing about you. Your empathy, your kindness, your sensitivity. Protect it."
The Welsh dancer was the first professional to be eliminated from the BBC show for the second year in a row, after she and celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton ended up in the dance-off during Sunday's results show.
Strictly Come Dancing critique
Cole made his remarks on Wednesday, telling Sky Vegas that he felt the dancer "hasn't been doing a very good job" as a professional on the long-running series.
His comments follow Dowden's brave return to the ballroom after undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Cole 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."
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."
Reunion in the countryside
Despite the criticism, Dowden also shared that she had reunited with Appleton for a "beautiful" day out in the countryside.
The pair enjoyed tea and scones together, with Dowden posting photographs from their reunion to her followers.
She captioned the images: "Looking slightly different to on the dance floor.
"Thank you @chrisappleton1 for the most beautiful day in the countryside. A day and a soul I'm so lucky to have."
The duo were voted off the show following a Movie Week dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and her professional dance partner, Carlos Gu.
In the format of the programme, the two couples with the lowest combined judges' scores and viewer votes must perform their routines again, before the judging panel decides who to save.
Cancer diagnosis and recovery
Dowden was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023 and underwent an initial mastectomy.
Just months later, she learned she had another type of cancer, which was found elsewhere in her body.
She was forced to miss the main show later that year while receiving treatment.
In February 2024, Dowden revealed that she was officially cancer-free, as doctors told her that tests showed "no evidence of disease".
Despite the positive news, the dancer still has to attend hospital for regular check-ups, monthly injections, scans and follow-up treatments as part of her five-year recovery plan.
She returned to Strictly in 2024 and was paired with singer JB Gill, but was forced to withdraw from the series halfway through after collapsing backstage.
Last year, she danced with The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, but they were the first pairing to leave the competition.
Emotional tribute to partner
On Monday, Dowden shared her heartbreak that she and Appleton had already been voted off the current series.
Taking to Instagram, she posted a series of photographs of the pair and wrote a lengthy tribute to her partner.
She wrote: "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."
