BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans rush to support pro as she shares ‘upsetting’ message

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has shared an emotional message after the first live show of the series

Strictly Come Dancing fans rushed to support Amy Dowden as she shared an “upsetting” message.

The professional dancer shared an emotional message following her return to the popular dance show on Saturday night (September 27), for the first live performance of the programme’s 23rd series.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Amy would be paired with former The Apprentice candidate, Thomas Skinner, for this year’s BBC One dance contest. This decision sparked backlash, which both Thomas and Amy have been dealing with since.

For their debut routine, the pair performed a Paso Doble to Battle Without Honour or Humanity by Hotei. Despite Thomas expressing his delight with their performance, the pair only managed to secure 16 points from the judges.

This score comprised a two from Craig, a four from Motsi, and two fives from Shirley and Anton, placing them towards the bottom of the leaderboard, reports the Manchester Evening News.

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The next day (September 28), Thomas responded to the criticism he had received with a lengthy message on social media.

Alongside snaps of himself and Amy dancing, as well as a photo with fellow Strictly stars George Clarke, La Voix and Stefan Dennis, the former The Apprentice candidate expressed: “Thank you all so much for the love and support on my Strictly journey. I’ve never danced before and I’m enjoying it more than I ever imagined, thanks to my amazing dance partner Amy.

“I was told before I started my Strictly journey that the media was gonna go for me more than anyone…And I see that now. The hate frenzy they’ve created towards me is insane. There is hardly any truth in the majority of the articles. Now I understand why people in the public eye just say and do what they’re told…..because they’ll get buried if they don’t, just like they’re trying to do to me.

“I will always stand up for what is right. This onslaught of hate has all started since I got invited to meet JD Vance, the vice president of the USA. And for the record: I haven’t hired a bodyguard. I didn’t have a 3 month affair. I haven’t defaulted on a loan. I’m not being sued by global giant Bosch for saying ‘bosh.’

“The majority that has been reported is massively exaggerated or written in a way to make me look bad. In fact, all I’ve ever done is put into the UK economy, employ people, support local businesses, spread positivity, work bloody hard and try to make others believe in themselves by spreading love and positivity online.”

Thomas continued: “The comments online from trolls saying I’m a fascist are mental. Loving your country is not fascism. The lunatics calling it that are insane, they’re just bullies who are angry at themselves.

“The lies wont drag me down. I’ll keep dancing with my head held high. At the end of the day I’m honoured to be part of this wonderful dancing show and I’m gonna keep on trying my best and I don’t care if people like it or not.

“I am proud of who I am and so grateful for all of you in my corner. Happy Sunday you lovely people, I’m going to enjoy mine with a nice roast dinner with the family. Bosh.”

Amy has now posted her own statement, where she backed her new dance partner. She urged people to “be kind” as she posted a video from two years ago, when she was targeted with negative remarks whilst documenting her courageous cancer battle.

The Welsh performer, who underwent a single mastectomy and chemotherapy after her breast cancer diagnosis, appeared in footage from her documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, showing a nurse just one of the vicious messages she had received.

In her post, Amy penned: “As we step into a new week, let’s choose to be kind, always (clip from my BBC documentary). I was raised to treat others the way I’d want to be treated, and to never judge a book by its cover. We never really know what someone else is going through. But what I do know is how upsetting it can be to be on the receiving end of negative comments.

“I’m using my platform to hopefully help spread the right messages. Words matter! Online and offline. A cruel comment might take seconds to type, but its impact can last much longer. I remember a coach once telling me, it’s like a nail hammered into wood, even if you remove it, the mark will always be there.”

Amy went on: “There are so many young people online today please be the kind of role models they need. Let’s be the reason someone smiles, not struggles.

“Also I can’t believe it’s two years exact today I was sat in the hospital bed showing these messages to my lovely nurse. Welsh love always #bekind.”

Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer