Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has claimed dancer Amy Dowden "hasn't been doing a very good job" after her early exit from the BBC show.
Cole made the comments after Dowden became the first professional dancer to be eliminated from the competition for the second consecutive year on Sunday.
The Welsh dancer and her partner, celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton, landed in the dance-off during the latest episode before being sent home by the judges.
Cole Criticises Strictly Performance
Cole, who served as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2017, argued that Dowden has failed to meet the demands of teaching celebrity contestants on the long-running BBC entertainment series.
Speaking to Sky Vegas, the former show original questioned Dowden's coaching approach and claimed her recent performance on the dancefloor has fallen short.
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."
He added: "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."
Addressing her performance during routines with Appleton, Cole claimed her teaching method was visibly lacking on screen.
Cole said: "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."
Health Struggles and Show Return
Cole's outspoken assessment comes after Dowden made a courageous return to the ballroom following a series of severe health challenges.
The 34-year-old dancer was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in May 2023 and subsequently underwent an initial mastectomy procedure.
Just months after her initial diagnosis, doctors discovered a second type of cancer located elsewhere in her body, forcing her to miss the 2023 series of the flagship BBC dance contest.
In February 2024, Dowden shared the positive news that tests showed "no evidence of disease" and she was officially declared cancer-free.
Despite receiving the all-clear, the professional dancer continues to undergo regular medical monitoring as part of a comprehensive five-year recovery plan.
Her ongoing medical care requires routine hospital visits for check-ups, monthly injections, diagnostic scans, and follow-up clinical treatments.
Dowden returned to the dancefloor full-time for the 2024 series, where she was partnered with former JLS singer JB Gill. However, her return was cut short when she was forced to withdraw from the competition halfway through after collapsing backstage.
Track Record on the Dancefloor
The recent elimination marks the second consecutive series in which Dowden has departed the contest in the opening round of eliminations.
During the previous series, Dowden was paired with businessman and former The Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner, with the couple becoming the first pair to get the boot.
This season, Dowden partnered with celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton. The duo landed in the bottom two following Movie Week performance night on Sunday.
They faced a decisive dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and her professional partner, Carlos Gu, with the panel of judges opting to save Winstone and Gu.
Dowden Pays Tribute to Partner
Following her departure from the competition, Dowden reflected on the result in a social media update published on Monday.
Writing on Instagram alongside a series of photographs taken with Appleton throughout their rehearsals and live shows, the dancer expressed her pride in their partnership.
Dowden 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..."
She continued: "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..."
Dowden praised Appleton's dedication throughout their intensive training sessions in the dance studio.
Dowden added: "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..."
Closing her message, she affirmed that their personal connection would endure beyond the BBC competition.
Dowden wrote: "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."
