Thomas Skinner praised his ‘little cancer warrior’ Amy Dowden as he shared a new Instagram post on Wednesday raising awareness for breast cancer.
Professional dancer Amy, 35, was diagnosed with disease in May 2023 and underwent treatment including a mastectomy before being given the all clear by doctors in February 2024.
The Strictly star, 34, who is currently partnered up on the BBC show with Amy, revealed that he once ‘painted my nails pink’ six years ago to help raise awareness for breast cancer.
Thomas gushed that his dance partner Amy is a ‘living legend’ and also reminded men that they can also get the disease and should check their breasts.
Alongside a picture of him holding up his pink nails, he wrote: ‘This picture just came up on my phone from 6 years ago when I painted my nails pink to help raise awareness for breast cancer.
‘Now 6 years later I’m dancing on Strictly Come Dancing with my little Cancer warrior Amy Dowden who has battled breast cancer and helped raise awareness.
Thomas Skinner praised his ‘little cancer warrior’ Amy Dowden as he shared a new Instagram post on Wednesday wearing pink nail polish to raise awareness for breast cancer
Professional dancer Amy, 35, was diagnosed with disease in May 2023 and underwent treatment including a mastectomy before being given the all clear by doctors in February 2024
‘She honestly is a living legend. Just a reminder to anyone; fellas can get it to. Make sure to check your breasts. Stay safe everyone and love you all. Bosh’.
Amy was quick to take to the comments to thank her partner for the support before they continued learning their next Strictly Come Dancing routine.
She replied: ‘Thanks partner for all your support! These kind lovely words! Now let’s have a great time on Lorraine then work hard and have another day of fun in the dance studio xxx’
Fans quickly took to the comments to praise Thomas for making men aware of the disease and to correct him for calling Amy a ‘little warrior’ as they said she is an ‘absolute fierce warrior’ instead.
They wrote: ‘Brilliant post, especially saying about Men as so many are unaware they can get it;
‘Amy isn’t a little anything, but a massive, epic, strong woman, just like anyone who has had to suffer cancer – absolutely fierce warriors!;
‘She’s a legend @amy_dowden’.
Meanwhile Amy took to her Instagram Stories to share a throwback snap of her in hospital after getting ‘another infection’ while fighting cancer.
Thomas gushed that his dance partner Amy is a ‘living legend’ and also reminded men that they can also get the disease and should check their breasts
He wrote: ‘I’m dancing on Strictly Come Dancing with my little Cancer warrior Amy Dowden who has battled breast cancer and helped raise awareness’
Amy was quick to take to the comments to thank her partner for the support before they continued learning their next Strictly Come Dancing routine
Fans took to the comments to praise Thomas for making men aware of the disease and to correct him for calling Amy a ‘little warrior’ as they said she is an ‘absolute fierce warrior’
She wrote: ‘Two years ago I was back in hospital with another infection! Got my thumb up here as I was told I could finally go home!
‘Two years later here I am happy, stronger, and doing waht I love with a day of dancing ahead!
‘But if I wasn’t checking myself, it would be a very different outcome! If your not checking, who is? Cancer doesn’t discriminate.’
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Amy and Thomas appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to also raise awareness of the disease.
During the appearance, Amy admitted she ‘couldn’t have coped’ with the Strictly routines she is doing last year as it is so ‘full on’.
She said: ‘The routine we’ve got on Saturday, it’s full on, my body couldn’t have coped, I’m doing things I never thought I would do on Strictly Come Dancing, but he’s so strong.’
After making her return to Strictly in September 2024 with JLS star JB Gill, Amy was forced to withdraw on week six due to a foot injury.
She recently opened up about the ‘pressure’ she put on herself to return before admitting she hadn’t properly ‘accepted’ everything after her cancer treatment.
She told The Mirror: ‘Last year it was a lot of emotions, excitement but I think also pressure that I had put on myself.
‘I wasn’t confident in myself really deep down, I think I was still trying to accept everything. I didn’t look the same, with my hair growing back, you could see a difference in me.’
On Monday, Amy a ttended her monthly chemotherapy appointment to keep her breast cancer in remission before jumping straight back into training
On Monday, Amy attended her monthly chemotherapy appointment to keep her breast cancer in remission before jumping straight back into training.
Taking to her Instagram Stories Amy shared a snap from the Good Hope Oncology Ward in Birmingham, just hours after begging fans to be kind following her and controversial pairs Thomas Skinner’s dance floor debut.
Sharing a snap of herself on the ward she wrote: ‘It’s that time again, monthly [injection] on the oncology unit then straight back to training.
‘Week 2 and I can’t wait. Monday reminders, grateful, happy, alive and always be kind’.
It comes after Amy shared a heartbreaking message about being kind following reports Thomas was being protected by Tom Holland’s ex-bodyguard after receiving death threats.
The Essex businessman, who found fame after appearing on Lord Sugar’s The Apprentice, has become the most controversial signing on Strictly this year, with his appearance being overshadowed by his revelation that he cheated on wife Sinead.
Thomas confessed to Daily Mail’s Katie Hind last week that the cheating scandal has been ‘awful for my poor wife to read it all’ as he came clean on the affair.
Thomas put on a brave face as he hit the dance floor with Amy on Saturday night, with his wife Sinead no where in sight to support.
The TV star, who performed the Paso Doble and received 16 points from the judges, said: ‘I was scared at the start, Amy has been a great teacher. She’s fantastic.’
Critics on X branded Thomas’ performance ‘the worst’, while other fans felt Thomas ‘did well’ considering it was a ‘difficult’ dance for a beginner like himself.
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.’
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.’
Amber Davies
Age: 28
Profession: West End star
She says: ‘This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.’
