The glitz and glamour of Strictly Come Dancing took a somber turn this past weekend as The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner and his professional dance partner, Amy Dowden, became the first couple to be eliminated from the 2025 season. Landing in the bottom two against Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova, their departure was a blow to fans, particularly those rooting for Amy’s triumphant return to the BBC show after her courageous battle with cancer. Despite Amy’s relentless efforts to propel her partner forward, body language expert Judi James suggests that Tom’s unprofessional demeanor and lackluster performance sealed their fate.
Amy’s return to Strictly was a moment of celebration for fans, who were eager to see the Welsh dancer back in her element after a challenging hiatus. However, their joy was short-lived as Tom and Amy’s routine struggled to captivate. Speaking on behalf of Paddy Power Games, Judi James described their performance as “difficult to watch,” noting Amy’s heroic attempts to carry the partnership through sheer determination. “Amy deserved better than this, and so did the fans who wanted to welcome her back with open hearts,” Judi remarked. She highlighted Amy’s physically demanding efforts, likening her to a “human dumbbell” as she executed daring lifts and stunts in a bid to keep their performance alive.
Judi explained that professional dancers often rely on “lifeline” tactics to boost their celebrity partners’ appeal when votes are at stake. For Amy, this meant deploying “industrial-strength” body language to sell Tom to the audience. “Her eyes were wide with delight, her mouth open in an almost scream-like expression of excitement,” Judi observed. “She gripped his neck tightly and leapt into his arms on the staircase, showing she’d go to any lengths to drag Tom further into the competition.” Yet, despite Amy’s unwavering commitment, Tom’s behavior told a different story.
According to Judi, Tom’s body language was a study in contrast, marked by signals that undermined their partnership. “Tom’s stuck-out tongue during the routine was a glaring misstep,” she said. “It’s a gesture associated with rudeness or rejection, and the way he flapped and lolled it was off-putting.” This, combined with his tendency to gaze away from Amy—fixating instead on what appeared to be the monitors while awaiting their results—suggested a lack of focus and connection with his partner. “Amy was pouring her heart into this, but Tom’s self-satisfied demeanor showed he wasn’t fully invested,” Judi noted.
As the dance-off loomed, Tom’s agitation became evident. Judi pointed out that he puffed with stress, tugged at his clothes, and clamped his mouth in resignation, signaling he knew his time was up. “Against Chris Robshaw, Tom stood no chance,” she said. “His movements on the dance floor, not the social media noise, were what ultimately did him in.” While Amy’s determination shone through, it couldn’t compensate for Tom’s lack of polish and professionalism.
In the aftermath, Amy took to social media to express her gratitude to Tom for helping her rediscover her passion for dance. Her heartfelt words and tearful speech post-elimination underscored her resilience and grace, leaving fans devastated by her early exit. For Tom, however, Judi suggests a different path might suit him better. “If he can move past the online chatter, his agent might already be lining up a spot on I’m A Celebrity, where his personality could find a better fit,” she concluded.
As Strictly Come Dancing continues, Amy Dowden’s courage and talent remain a highlight, even if her journey with Tom Skinner ended sooner than hoped. For now, fans can only wait to see what’s next for the beloved pro—and whether Tom can redeem himself in the jungle.