Tom Skinner and Amy Dowden headed out for breakfast on Thursday after she begged viewers to ‘be kind’ during their controversial pairing.
Fuelling up for another day of training, the duo treated themselves to some food at his beloved Dino’s Cafe in Spitalfields Market.
Amy, 35, ordered a fry up while Tom, 34, ordered a steak pie for the long day they had ahead of them.
Sharing a video to Instagram, The Apprentice star wrote: ‘Good Morning and happy Thursday you lovely people!
‘It’s been an early start with work today before I start the dancing and because I’ve worked so hard the lovely Amy Dowden has let me have steak pie for breakfast.
‘We have brought her down the cafe, she loves it!! I’m taking her with me to finish off work and then it’s back in the dance studio.’
Tom Skinner and Amy Dowden headed out for breakfast on Thursday after she begged viewers to ‘be kind’ during their controversial pairing
Fuelling up for another day of training, the duo treated themselves to some food at his beloved Dino’s Cafe in Spitalfields Market
He concluded: ‘I can’t wait for you to see it Saturday, so keep believing in yourself and don’t go home until ya proud.
‘We never look when we pour. Keep on marching…..in my case, keep on dancing. Bosh.’
It comes after Amy shared a heartbreaking message about being kind following reports Tom 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.
Tom confessed to Daily Mail’s Katie Hind this week that the cheating scandal has been ‘awful for my poor wife to read it all’ as he came clean on the affair.
Taking to her Instagram Amy shared clips from her BBC documentary on her cancer battle, which also saw her deal with negative comments, alongside a lengthy caption.
She wrote: ‘As we step into a new week, let’s choose to be kind, always. I was raised to treat others the way I’d want to be treated, and to never judge a book by its cover.
‘We never really know what someone else is going through. But what I do know is how upsetting it can be to be on the receiving end of negative comments’.
Amy, 35, ordered a fry up while Tom, 34, ordered a steak pie for the long day they had ahead of them
It comes after Amy shared a heartbreaking message about being kind following reports Tom was being protected by Tom Holland’s ex-bodyguard after receiving death threats
She continued: ‘I’m using my platform to hopefully help spread the right messages. Words matter! Online and offline. A cruel comment might take seconds to type, but its impact can last much longer’.
‘I remember a coach once telling me, it’s like a nail hammered into wood, even if you remove it, the mark will always be there. There are so many young people online today please be the kind of role models they need’.
Before adding: ‘Let’s be the reason someone smiles, not struggles. Also I can’t believe it’s two years exact today I was sat in the hospital bed showing these messages to my lovely nurse. Welsh love alway’.
In the comments Thomas gushed: ‘You are an amazing person’.
While Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse wrote: ‘It’s sad in all honesty you realise that people hate themselves and their lives … The only reason to go online and be disgusting. we keep shining nonetheless’.
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.’
Meanwhile 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.
In the comments Thomas gushed: ‘You are an amazing person’
The Essex businessman become the most controversial signing on Strictly this year, with his appearance being overshadowed by his revelation that he cheated on wife Sinead
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.
His political leanings have also sparked backlash across social media after he was pictured attending a barbecue hosted by US President Donald Trump’s number two, JD Vance – something he later called a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event.
Thomas has drawn strong criticism for X posts saying it is ‘not far-right’ to be ‘flying your flag and loving your country’, and complaining ‘it ain’t safe out there any more’ in London, saying the city is ‘hostile’ and ‘tense’.
Insiders revealed that Strictly bosses have been left in a ‘tricky’ situation regarding his social media posts.
‘He’s not BBC staff so there is nothing that can be done about his social media posts other than ask his management to have a gentle word, and they might not want to,’ the source has explained.
The insider added though that it’s unlikely Thomas will be voted out of the hit BBC show early, ‘because the public tends to like controversial figures, at least at the start.’
They added that Strictly’s decision to pair him with one of the show’s favourite pro dancers will be beneficial.
‘The feeling is he’s unlikely to be among the first to go, and could actually stay in for quite a stretch. Amy has a lot of love behind her and that is sure to help him,’ the insider told The Mirror .
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.’
