Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden has said 'it's important to be kind' and 'what do you expect?' in response to Brendan Cole's 'cruel' comments about her dance skills following her breast cancer battle.
The dancer, 36, was the first pro to be eliminated from the BBC show for the second year in a row this month, after she and hairdresser Chris Appleton, 43, ended up in the dance-off.
Following her exit, former Strictly pro Brendan, 50, 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 health battle.
Now in a new interview Amy has addressed the savage comments, saying: 'I'll be honest, what do you expect from him?
'It's fine – I've never been brought up to be personal, and in this day and age especially I think it's so important to be kind, and to think about the next generation.
'I always try to use my platform in the right way – I work with various charities. But also I want to be the right kind of role model'.
Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden has said 'it's important to be kind' and 'what do you expect?' in response to Brendan Cole's 'cruel' comments about her dance skills
Brendan, 50, 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 health battle
She added to The Mirror that she runs a dance academy and that the young children who go there really look up to her, before stating: 'that's important'.
After his comments Amy was praised for her 'iconic' response online. Taking to Instagram, she responded with a video.
Filmed in her Strictly 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. You're 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 had remarked that he felt the dancer 'hasn't been doing a very good job' as a dancer on the show.
The dancer, 36, was the first pro to be eliminated from the BBC show for the second year in a row this month, after she and hairdresser Chris Appleton, 43, ended up in the dance-off
After his comments Amy was praised for her 'iconic' response online. Taking to Instagram, Amy responded with a video about people being 'obsessed' with her
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.
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
LACEY TURNER
AGE: 38
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'
DELTA GOODREM
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'
CACH MERCER
AGE: 25
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'
DAME SARAH STOREY
AGE: 48
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian
WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'
BETHANY ANTONIA
AGE: 28
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'
GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALL
AGE: 59
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'
TABBY STOECKER
AGE: 25
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'
MELANIE WALTERS
AGE: 64
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey
WHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.'
DANI DYER
AGE: 30
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'
CHRIS APPLETON
AGE: 43
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'
WILL BEST
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'
JAIME WINSTONE
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'
SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
AGE: 44
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City
WHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'
LAWRENCE ROBB
AGE: 34
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV's Emmerdale
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!'
JOHN NELLIS
AGE: 33
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel
WHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!'