Amy Dowden sends message to fans after being struck down with illness

Amy Dowden has sent a message to her fans on Instagram ahead of tonight's live show. She had been feeling unwell this week and was a bit quieter than usual during an appearance on It Takes Two with Thomas Skinner on Thursday. Presenter Janette Manrara acknowledged that she hadn't been feeling particularly well, saying: "Amy, I know you're a little bit under the weather so excuse Amy today but he made you a beautiful drink to help you out." A croaky Amy responded, "With turmeric, ginger, pepper," while Janette added, "I won't make you talk too much."

Taking to social media this morning, Amy reassured fans that she was ready to go for tonight's live show. She said: "It's show day! Wishing everyone lots of luck. One very excited Amy! Tom and I have worked so hard and we can't wait to bring you a party tonight with our salsa and risky lifts!"

She also added: "@iamtomskinner thank you for working so hard, looking after me with my cold this week, bringing so much joy [...] Let's do this partner!"

The Welsh dancer had previously discussed feeling unwell earlier this week, informing her Instagram followers: "So Tom has made me a drink because I've been a bit under the weather this week, haven't I? Tom - tell everybody, what's in here?"

Tom replied: "Bless you. I've made her my famous juice I take when I have a sore throat. Especially when I get up early in the morning for the market and it's cold. It's warm milk with manuka honey, black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, and a little bit of nutmeg. All shaken up, all stirred in - will hopefully make our Amy feel better."

Chatting to Janette on It Takes Two on Thursday, Thomas revealed how dramatically his lifestyle has transformed since joining the programme. "I have lost a stone since starting Strictly - I'm a stone lighter. I feel no different," he said. "I can't wait to get back in the caf. I have lost weight and I've noticed that my trousers are a little bit bigger."

However, some fans suggested that Thomas had been "set up to fail" after being assigned the challenging Salsa for Saturday's performance. The Apprentice star will be dancing the Salsa to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal with Amy this weekend.

One viewer commented on X: "The song for Skinner... Oh, they want him out bad," while another posted: "Oh Thomas is being set up for a fall."

A third remarked: "Two Latin dances back to back and Bonkers for a Salsa is a horrible song choice."

Strictly Come Dancing resumes on Saturday, 4 October, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.