Strictly Come Dancing fans left ‘heartbroken’ for Amy Dowden after first elimination

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left “fuming” as they branded the first elimination “unfair”

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left “heartbroken” for Amy Dowden after the first elimination.

This year’s couples took to the dance floor for the second time on Saturday night (October 4) with an array of dazzling routines.

At the end of the night, Love Island winner Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin found themselves at the top of the joint leaderboard after wowing the judges with their Samba to “Bam Bam” by Camila Cabello and Ed Sheeran.

Meanwhile, Lorraine’s Ross King and Jowita Przystał were at the bottom of the rankings after performing a Waltz to “Sunshine on Leith” by The Proclaimers.

On Sunday (October 5), host Tess Daly confirmed that The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner and his professional partner Amy Dowden would be in the dreaded dance-off against former England rugby player Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova.

After seeing their routines again, the judges unanimously voted to save Chris and Nadiya, meaning that Thomas and Amy were the first couple to be eliminated from the competition, reports Wales Online.

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However, several Strictly fans were left devastated with the decision, with many sharing their disappointment for Amy in particular.

The Welsh dancer notably missed out on the 2023 series after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She was then partnered with JB Gill last year, but was forced to pull out due to a shin injury.

Sharing their frustration on X (formerly Twitter), one fan wrote: “Anyone else think this isn’t fair to Amy. Nothing against Tom, but still not fair.”

Another added: “Me currently fuming because Amy’s out in the first week after everything she’s been through,” while a third said: “I’m gutted for Amy on #Strictly, I think it was the right decision tho.”

A fourth viewer echoed the sentiment, saying: “So sad to see Amy out,” with another similarly sharing: “Thomas & Amy are out of #Strictly. I’m heartbroken for Amy because she deserved better.”

Speaking to Tess Daly after their elimination, Amy said: “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.

“I’ve made a new friend for life and I wouldn’t change a thing. There is a Ballroom boy in there so I’m a bit gutted he didn’t get to do the Ballroom, but the last three years, as you know, have been quite difficult for me.

“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.”

Thomas added: “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.”

He concluded: “Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good, because you’re a different class.”

Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer