Strictly Come Dancing fans in Oxfordshire are gearing up for a special visit from one of the show's most beloved professionals, Amy Dowden MBE, who is set to appear at Weston-on-the-Green Village Hall on Sunday, October 19, 2025. This event comes on the heels of Dowden's emotional exit from the latest series, where she and her celebrity partner, former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, became the first couple to be eliminated.
Dowden, 35, has become a household name thanks to her vibrant performances and her openness about personal challenges. According to the BBC, at the upcoming event – already sold out and now operating a reserve list – she will share her extraordinary journey. From being bedridden with Crohn’s Disease as a teenager to becoming one half of the first all-British couple in 35 years to win the British Latin Dance Championships, Dowden’s story is one of resilience and triumph. She will also discuss her breast cancer diagnosis, her award-winning documentaries, and the experience of receiving her MBE from the King. Fans will have the opportunity to get signed copies of her Sunday Times Bestselling autobiography, Dancing In The Rain, as the evening kicks off at 6 pm.
The excitement surrounding Dowden’s visit is tinged with the bittersweet memory of her and Skinner’s early departure from the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing series. Their journey ended on Sunday, October 5, after a tense dance-off against former England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his partner, Nadiya Bychkova. Both couples reprised their routines from the previous night: Skinner and Dowden performed a salsa to 'Bonkers' by Dizzee Rascal and Armand van Helden, while Robshaw and Bychkova delivered a Viennese waltz to 'Die With A Smile' by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
Head judge Shirley Ballas, along with Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, all voted to save Robshaw and Bychkova, with Motsi Mabuse agreeing, though her vote was ultimately not needed. The decision was based on the combined scores from weeks one and two, added to the public vote. Skinner, who has made a name for himself as a social media personality, ended Saturday’s show with a joint score of 29, having scored just 13 for his salsa performance. Revel Horwood didn’t mince words, remarking, "It looked like you were competing at a weightlifting competition in Skegness, darling, it was all just powerlifts."
Despite the criticism, Skinner remained upbeat about his Strictly experience. He told the BBC, “I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing. It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I can’t really dance that well but I’ve had fun. Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good, ‘cause you’re a different class.”
Dowden was equally effusive in her praise for her partner, both on the show and in her heartfelt Instagram post shared during the BAFTA Cymru awards in Newport, where she was nominated for two awards for her BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me. She wrote, "Tom, you have truly helped bring me back, not just to the show, but to myself. Our training days have been filled with laughter and just enjoying the moment. Your work ethic, your heart, and your commitment the last few weeks has been 110%. You’ve embraced every challenge with such positivity, and I couldn’t have asked for more from you. I would have absolutely loved to take you even further, just to share even more of the joy of dancing and the strictly magic with you. But I’m leaving with a heart full of gratitude and pride. Thank you. What I’ve learnt more than ever this past two years what matters, happiness, health and to be grateful to be alive doing what I love."
Speaking to Wales Online just before the elimination news broke, Dowden reflected on her journey: "It's really tough. I'm so proud of him and you know, after the last few years I'm just so grateful to be back doing what I love, back on the dance floor. Feeling fitter and stronger than ever, because there were times where obviously I did doubt and think I would never get back to the dancefloor. I'm loving feeling like Amy again, a new, stronger version of me."
Dowden also hinted at what’s next for her on Strictly, teasing a series of exciting group and celebrity professional numbers for the rest of the season. "There is so much coming your way in terms of group numbers, in terms of the celebrity pro numbers," she told Wales Online. She emphasized how the show has provided her with a platform to spread awareness about cancer, a cause close to her heart following her own diagnosis. "Strictly for me, it's everything. It's made me who I am, it's given me the platform to be able to go on and raise awareness. I'm the first ever Welsh pro, and the only Welsh pro. Probably something I'm so proud of, but every year I think, how do we get better than last year, and we always do. I'm so proud to be a part of that Strictly family, and for me, it's the best show."
During her time on the show, Dowden’s positivity and resilience have inspired both fans and fellow contestants. She admitted, "The last three years, as you know, have been quite difficult for me. I lost all confidence as a dancer – but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back and, honestly, thank you." She also expressed her hopes for the remaining contestants, saying, "I wish all the contestants the very best of luck this season is going to be spectacular. I’ll be watching and cheering you all on. Lastly thanks for all the love, certainly felt it! Welsh love always xxx"
As for Skinner, his time on Strictly was not without controversy. He recently made headlines after admitting to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding and apologizing for leaving a Strictly press event midway through. Despite these incidents, his partnership with Dowden was marked by camaraderie and mutual respect, with Dowden calling Skinner “adorable” and saying, “We’ve laughed so much. We’ve worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing, but what I’ve learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything. I’ve made a new friend for life and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Looking ahead, Strictly fans can catch the next episode on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, October 11, at 6:05 pm. Meanwhile, anticipation is high for Dowden’s Oxfordshire talk, where she will no doubt continue to inspire with her story of perseverance, passion, and positivity. For those lucky enough to have secured a ticket, it promises to be an unforgettable evening with one of the dance world’s most resilient and beloved figures.
Dowden’s journey, both on and off the dance floor, is a testament to the power of hope and the importance of community – something that Strictly, at its best, brings to living rooms across the UK every autumn.
