Thomas Skinner introduces Amy Dowden to wife and kids amid Strictly controversy

Thomas Skinner introduced his Strictly Come Dancing partner Amy Dowden to his wife, Sinead, and the couple’s three children during a family dinner on Tuesday, a moment he said reflected his “family values” ahead of Saturday’s live show. The Apprentice alumnus has been at the center of controversy since he acknowledged a fling shortly after his May 2022 wedding, an episode he described publicly as a “moment of madness” that nearly ruined his life.

Photos Skinner shared show Amy Dowden cuddled with Sinead on the sofa beside their children—Henry, five, and twins Roma and Dalia, two—as the Strictly pair wrapped up training and sat for a casual dinner. In the post, Skinner wrote that Amy was a huge hit with his family and that Sinéad had prepared a “double lovely dinner” so the group could become friends for life. “My Kids absolutely LOVE Amy. She is so good with them, they love her to bits. Bless them. Sinéad made us a double lovely dinner and they are gonna be friends for life,” he wrote, adding that the duo would be back at it the next morning.

The dinner and photos come as Skinner’s Strictly journey has been shadowed by controversy over his personal life. In an emotional interview last week, the former The Apprentice contestant described a fling that occurred weeks after his 2022 wedding, calling it a “moment of madness” that threatened to ruin his life. He has faced competing accounts about the length and nature of the relationship, with Amy-Lucy O’Rourke telling the Daily Mail that their secret relationship lasted about three months and that he told her he was in love and unhappy in his marriage. Skinner had previously claimed to have had a “fling” with a attractive single mum, Amy-Lucy, who allegedly provided him a cosmetic treatment after they met in a pub, though timelines and details have differed in subsequent reporting.

Despite the revelations, Skinner’s social media posts have continued to emphasize his commitment to his marriage. He has said that his relationship with Sinéad has moved on and that she has forgiven him. In the run-up to the premiere, he also sought to frame his Strictly experience as a test of resilience, posting that he would not be canceled and that the public backlash would only strengthen his work ethic. On X, he wrote that he had been attacked online but “built what I got from nothing” and that the barrage would not derail him.

The controversy has not silenced Skinner’s public appearances ahead of the show’s start. He and Dowden have been seen practicing routines, and Skinner has stressed that he is determined to deliver strong performances on the Saturday night broadcast. “I am not letting Amy down, I am gonna work so hard and can't wait for you to all see my live dance this Saturday night,” he said in a message accompanying his family post. He has also spoken about his background, describing the grind of building success from humble beginnings, a narrative some of his supporters say underscores his determination to persevere despite criticism.

Dani Dyer’s exit from the competition, after fracturing her foot, added another layer of emotion to the week. Skinner said he was “absolutely gutted” for his fellow contestant and “my little mate,” acknowledging the disappointment of her departure while steering attention back to his own path on the show. He used the moment to reiterate his commitment to the process and to Dowden, stressing that the pair would press ahead with their training and routine.

The broader context around Skinner’s appearance on Strictly includes national coverage of his political outspokenness and social media activity. He faced backlash for posts that supporters described as nationalistic while critics questioned the tone of some remarks. He attended a barbecue that was hosted by JD Vance, the former Trump administration official, an event Skinner called a “once-in-a-lifetime” moment. He later defended his actions on social media, arguing that his comments and associations do not define his portrayal on Strictly and that he plans to continue performing at a high level while navigating public scrutiny.

As the show’s premiere drew closer, Skinner’s insistence that his marriage had grown stronger and that he would not be cancelled stood in contrast to the ongoing discussions about his past. He acknowledged that the controversy had created difficult headlines but emphasized that his focus remained on the competition and his partnership with Dowden. The couple’s introductions to Skinner’s wife and children were presented as a moment of personal reconciliation, an image that accentuated a broader narrative about balancing public life, personal history, and professional commitments on a major entertainment stage.

The Strictly Come Dancing season now moves forward with Skinner and Dowden at the center of attention, as fans weigh the credibility of past statements against the current on-screen chemistry and performance. For Skinner, the week’s developments underscore the challenges of maintaining public life while pursuing a demanding televised competition. For now, he appears determined to press on, leveraging family support and his partnership with Amy Dowden to propel him through an unpredictable and highly scrutinized journey in front of audiences.