Amy Dowden has responded to fan claims that she felt uncomfortable during an "awkward" moment on Strictly Come Dancing by sharing a humorous video with co-star Neil Jones. The clip, posted on Instagram, shows the dancers playfully recreating the interaction that sparked concern among viewers.
During a recent episode, Jones placed his hands around Dowden's waist as they stood at the top of the stairs following a dance. Dowden appeared to look uncomfortable and pulled another dancer, Alexis Warr, closer before Jones removed his hand. Social media users interpreted this as a sign of discomfort, with some commenting that the move was "slimy."
To dispel these rumors, Dowden and Jones filmed a spoof in a rehearsal studio. In the video, Dowden stands behind Jones and places her hands on his waist, prompting a surprised reaction from him. She then playfully dances in front of him, beaming for the camera, with Jones mimicking her earlier action of pulling Warr closer.
Dowden captioned the video: "Friends for 20 years! Nothing but love and respect for @mr_njonesofficial." Jones added the hashtags "#nocomment #friendsfor20years."
This lighthearted exchange comes shortly after Jones announced that he and his wife, Love Island star Chyna Mills, are expecting their second child. The couple, who already have a daughter named Havana, shared their happy news in an Instagram video on November 4.
The BBC has recently implemented new welfare measures for Strictly Come Dancing following past controversies. These measures, introduced in July 2024, include chaperones in rehearsal rooms, additional welfare producers, and enhanced training for professional dancers and crew. These steps follow allegations of misconduct against professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, and a ruling by the BBC upholding complaints of verbal bullying and harassment made by actress Amanda Abbington against Pernice during the 2023 series.