Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden were the first pair to be eliminated from this year's Strictly Come Dancing, sparking outrage among fans who all echoed the same sentiment. Professional dancer Amy, 35, made a triumphant return to Strictly last year after her fight with breast cancer, partnering with JLS star JS Gill. They hit the ground running, with JB swiftly mastering the ballroom, but sadly, an injury forced Amy to withdraw halfway through the competition. When it was revealed that Amy would be making a comeback on Strictly this year, fans hailed it as her revival year. However, their joy turned to anger when she was the first to exit the competition over the weekend with her celebrity partner and former Apprentice star, Thomas, 34. Just minutes after their exit was announced Amy tearfully noted that it was a shame they hadn't been given the chance to perform a ballroom dance, which would have likely earned him a higher score than his Salsa in his second week.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Amy also shared: "I've got to know the real Tom, and he is adorable. He's looked after me. We've laughed so much. We've worked so hard and a Glitterball would have been amazing, but what I've learnt in the last few years is happiness, health, and being alive is more important than anything. And friendships. I've got a new friend for life. If I'm honest with you, I wouldn't change a thing. She added: "I know there is a ballroom boy in there so I'm a bit gutted we didn't get to do the ballroom. I lost all confidence as a dancer - but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back and, honestly, thank you." Fans accused the show of treating her unfairly by pairing her with someone likely to be voted out early. Venting their frustration on X, previously known as Twitter, one fan posted: "Not gutted to see Tom Skinner leave but losing Amy Dowden already is a blow." Another chimed in: "Oh amy dowden im so sorry u got done dirty this season you deserved so much better."(sic)
A third added: "Feel so sorry for Amy Dowden, shes gone thru hell the last 2 years and done all she can to go back to work, to be paired up with someone who we all know wasn't going to go all the way...for her to be out 1st week!!"
"I feel for Amy, not a fan of Tom but they were stitched up with that dance - everything about it was set up for failure," a fourth penned. Another added: "Thank goodness, it is painful to watch him, although I do feel sorry for Amy Dowden being voted out so early."
One more said: "Amy, your dancing is as good as ever and your comeback has been amazing considering what you've been through. You looked stunning this weekend, such bad luck to have been voted out."
Another claimed: "Amy Dowden deserved a lot more from Strictly Come Dancing partnering this year."
On Saturday evening, Amy and Thomas delivered a surprising salsa to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal and Armand Van Helden, incorporating several accomplished yet daring lifts.
Despite capitalising on Thomas' physical prowess to execute the challenging moves, with Tess Daly remarking it was "probably the bravest lifts we've seen in Week Two", the duo managed only 13 points from a potential 40 from the judging panel.
Unable to climb the leaderboard by evening's end, their inaugural week's marks were combined with their second week's tally, before the public voting commenced.
Regrettably, Thomas and Amy, who accumulated 29 points overall, landed in the bottom two alongside England rugby legend Chris Robshaw and his Strictly partner Nadiya Bychkova. The two pairs found themselves in the season's first dreaded dance-off, with the judges ultimately deciding to save Chris and Nadiya, resulting in Thomas's departure.
Reflecting on his Strictly journey, Thomas expressed: "I've loved it. I've never danced before, and my stay was short, but Amy's amazing. It's been great fun and I've enjoyed it.
"I can't really dance that well, but I've had fun! Thank you, Amy - sorry that we haven't done too good, 'cause you're a different class."
