Strictly Come Dancing’s Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden have been branded the show’s ‘most head-scratching pairing ever’, after fans claimed the Welsh pro ‘deserved better’ following Saturday’s launch show.
Amy, 35 has returned to the BBC series on a full time basis after injury curtailed her original return in 2024, for which she was paired with JLS star JB Gill. She’s also back to full health after being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in May 2023.
While Thomas, 34, hit the headlines after admitting to cheating on his wife Sinéad just weeks after their wedding in May 2022. Claiming the ‘two week fling’ was a ‘moment of madness’ that saw him almost ‘ruin his life.’
However ‘secret mistress’ Amy-Lucy O’Rourke suggested in an interview with the Daily Mail that their secret relationship lasted three months, during which time he said he was in love with her and unhappy with wife.
Now body language expert Judi James has questioned why loveable Amy, who she said fans want to see win, was paired with a celeb who had ‘no discernible dance talent’ as well as a ‘pre-emptive approach’ to the infamous Strictly curse’.
‘Thomas’ constant eye-dart seems to want to consume the cameras but his effortful walk down the stairs suggest he’ll be virtually impossible to launch on any maiden voyage in terms of nimble moves. His pelvic thrust that seemed integral to his routine this first show was a look-away moment’.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden have been branded the show’s ‘most head-scratching pairing ever’, after fans claimed the Welsh pro ‘deserved better’
Body language expert Judi James has questioned why loveable Amy was paired with a celeb who had ‘no dance talent’ as well as a ‘pre-emptive approach’ to the infamous Strictly curse’
She told Paddy Power Games: ‘Thomas is like catnip for press headlines, meaning his ideal gig would have been in the jungle chomping on kangaroo testicles while amusing the nation with his “bosh” catchphrase, rather than strapping sequins to his braces and stepping heavily into the meringue of tears and hearts that is Strictly’.
She went on to suggest that while Thomas stood in ‘full alpha splay’ when meeting Amy for the first time and she screamed with excitement, both their body languages later told a different story.
‘Amy sat knotted up with her legs crossed in a barriered pose while Thomas sat combining a leg splay with a self-protective “fig-leaf” pose’
Despite this Amy has insisted she was loving every minute of her new partnership with under-fire Thomas.
Sharing a photo of herself alongside Thomas she wrote: ‘The news is out! @iamtomskinner and I are excited and working hard rrrrrready for the first live show next Saturday!
‘Tom is working so hard and is loving learning to dance ( more than he ever imagined). We are laughing lots too!
‘Honestly Tom it’s been so lovely getting to know the really lovely, bubbly, full of life you this week. Thanks for a great week and so looking forward to our strictly journey ahead! Let’s do this.’
Taking to his own Instagram platform, Thomas shared similar sentiments alongside a behind-the-scenes video of himself and Amy in the rehearsal studio.
‘Thomas is like catnip for press headlines, meaning his ideal gig would have been in the jungle chomping on kangaroo testicles while amusing the nation with his “bosh” catchphrase’
Amy, 35 has returned to the BBC series after injury curtailed her original return in 2024, for which she was paired with JLS star JB Gill (pictured) . She’s also back to full health after being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in May 2023.
Despite this Amy has insisted she was loving every minute of her new partnership with under-fire Thomas
He wrote: ‘Let me introduce you to an absolute legend, me parter for Strictly Come Dancing. The lovely @amy_dowden – We ain’t stopped laughing since we met, and she is teaching me the moves which you’ll see at the end of the video.
‘Honoured to be doing Strictly and I’ll be posting lots of behind the scenes videos. Honestly never fort I would love dancing as much as I am! Enjoy.’ [sic]
The Essex based businessman rounded off the clip with a somewhat shaky attempt at twirling Amy, who was among the first people to comment on his latest post.
‘Yes partner. Had the best week! You’ve work hard, we’ve laughed, and fun and you are looking after me too as am I you! Let’s do this partner,’ she wrote.
Despite their apparent bond, fans have expressed dismay over the unlikely pairing given her long awaited return to the show following a series of health setbacks.
Commenting on social media, one disappointed viewer wrote: ‘You deserved better.’
Thomas, 34, hit the headlines after admitting to cheating on his wife Sinéad just weeks after their wedding in May 2022 (pictured together)
‘Secret mistress’ Amy-Lucy O’Rourke suggested in an interview with the Daily Mail that their secret relationship lasted three months , during which time he said he was in love with her
A second added: ‘I am gutted she’s got him on her first year back.’
While a third posted: ‘You look amazing Amy. Great to see you back. So sorry you got the short straw with him though.’
Meanwhile Thomas and wife Sinéad put on a united front amid his affair scandal as they hosted a viewing party to watch his dance floor debut.
Taking to his Instagram Stories The Apprentice star shared snaps as the couple were joined by family and friends to watch his pre-recorded appearance on the BBC show.
The TV personality beamed as he wrapped his arms around five-year-old son Henry in a huge crowd, and captioned the post: ‘Lovely night with lovely people!’.
Sinéad was also all smiles alongside her female friends just days after breaking her silence on the scandal.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
Dani Dyer
Age: 29
Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner
Dani says: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’