Amy Dowden praised for 'iconic' response to Brendan Cole's criticism of her Strictly skills following her cancer battle

Amy Dowden has been praised for her 'iconic' response to Brendan Cole's criticism of her Strictly skills.

The dancer, 36, was the first pro to be eliminated from the BBC show for the second year in a row, after she and hairdresser Chris Appleton, 43, ended up in the dance-off during last Sunday's show.

Following her exit, Brendan shared in an interview that he feels Amy 'hasn't been up to the challenge' of training another celebrity, despite bravely returning to the show after her battle with cancer.

Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Amy responded with a video posted moments before the live show began.

Filmed in her dressing room, the video showed the dancer looking incredible in a silver dress, while blowing a kiss to the camera.

She mimed Mariah Carey's soundbite, ‘And I was like, why are you so obsessed with me?’ which is the opening line of the 2009 single Obsessed.

Amy captioned the post: ‘If you know, you know #bekind #inaworldyoucanbeanythingbekind’.

Viewers of the BBC show flooded the comments with praise for Amy’s response, writing: 'Keep shining - perfect response,'

'You are an icon of all queens. Your one in a million,'

'Amy girl none of us agree with that bitter man. We love you Queen!!!!!'

'I am so here for this response, you go our amazing welsh lady,'

'Icon,'

'This is sooo iconic of you!!!'

Brendan remarked on Wednesday that he felt the dancer 'hasn't been doing a very good job' as a dancer on the show.

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, and was forced to miss the show later that year, before returning in 2024.

Brendan's comments will no doubt cause controversy, as he 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.

'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.'

Brendan told Sky Vegas: '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.'

Amy revealed in February 2024 that she was officially cancer-free as doctors told her that tests showed 'no evidence of disease'.

Despite this, the dancer still has to go to the hospital for regular check-ups, monthly injections, scans and follow-up treatments as part of her five-year recovery plan.  

Amy was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in May 2023, and underwent an initial mastectomy.

Just months later, Amy learned she had another type of cancer, which was found elsewhere in the body.

Amy was paired with JB Gill when she returned to Strictly in 2024, but she was forced to withdraw from the series halfway through after collapsing backstage.

Last year, Amy danced with The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, but they were the first pairing to get the boot.

On Monday, Amy also shared her heartbreak that she and Chris had already been voted off the show following a Movie Week dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and her professional dance partner, Carlos Gu.

Taking to Instagram, Amy shared her heartache as she posted a series of sweet snaps of the pair and added the caption: '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...

'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...

'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...

'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.'