Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden couldn’t hide her horror as her newly revealed partner, The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, described his ideal pre-rehearsal breakfast as he invited her to join him. Prompted by host Claudia Winkleman he told the Welsh dancer: “The best breakfast – we go down to Beano’s caff nice and early before we get started, get you spicy Korean noodles with the chicken breasts and the poached eggs, a little bit of Tabasco sauce. Or you don’t fancy that we can have the sunshine chicken curry with a round of chips,” he enthused.

However Amy looked far from amused and her reaction was spotted by Claudia who pointed it out. This led Amy to issue a warning to Tom as she said: “I really hope your food doesn’t repeat whilst you dance. Because we’re so close,” she said putting her face next to his to demonstrate her point.

Despite her retiicence when it comes to his diet Thomas was thrilled to learn he will be dancing with Amy. The reality star and businessman is currently mired in controversy following revelations of an affair. However, the 34-year-old dad of three put that to one side to greet his pro partner saying: “I’m over the moon. Honestly, Amy is a legend, just inspirational.”

Amy, 35, had only returned to Strictly last year having been forced to sit out 2023 as she battled breast cancer. She was paired with JLS star JB Gill, but her time on the show was cut short after she suffered foot injury in October 2024. She was forced to withdraw from the competition and Lauren Oakley stepped in to partner JB.

Alongside Amy and Thomas the other celebrities were also paired with their pro partners on tonights launch show, which was pre-recorded on September 10.

Former Emmerdale star Lewis Cope. Who played Nicky Miligan in the long running ITV soap, has been paired with Katya Jones. Britain’s Got Talent and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix is in the capable hands of Aljaz Škorjanec. Love Island winner Dani Dyer was thrilled to learn she will be paired with Nikita Kuzmin for the contest.

Ross King, who is well known to daytime TV viewers as the LA correspondent for both Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, learned his partner will be Jowita Przystal. Former England rugby union player and captain Chris Robshaw will be dancing with Nadiya Bychkova in this year’s competition.

British Vogue cover star Ellie Goldstein was delighted to learn her pro partner would be Vito Copolla, who is no stranger to lifting the glitterball after winning the show in 2023. Lioness turned football pundit Karen Carney has been teamed with Carlos Gu. Doctor Who and ER legend Alex Kingston, 62, couldn’t hide her excitement when she was told she was being paired with Johannes Radebe, 38.

Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison has been teamed with Kai Widdrington. Eastenders icon Balvinder Sopal has been paired with Australian dancer Julian Caillon who is one of two new pros for the 2025 series. Gladiators legend Harry Aikines-Aryeetey who is better known as Nitro has been paired with Strictly veteran Karen Hauer.

Neighbours icon Stefan Dennis has been paired with last year’s winner, fellow Aussie Dianne Buswell. Former professional footballer and football manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be dancing with Lauren Oakely in this year’s competition. Meanwhile YouTuber, podcaster and social media star George Clarke will be dancing with Alexias Warr who is the second of two new pros on the show this year.