BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden speaks out on dance-off as fans say 'should never'

Amy Dowden has spoken out after landing in the latest Strictly Come Dancing dance-off. The Welsh dancer and her celebrity dance partner JB Gill were among the couples competing in week five of the BBC One dance contest.

The pair opened Saturday night's (October 19) live show for the firs time with their energetic jive routine to Outkast’s Hey Ya! Motsi Mabuse said they were not "playing around" with their lively performance.

All four judges - Motsi Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke - then awarded them a total of 30 points out of a possible 40.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans work out show 'curse' after JB Gill and Amy Dowden dance-off

But it wasn't enough when it came to the public vote and JB and Amy found themselves under the red light of doom as they were left in the bottom two alongside former footballer Paul Merson and his pro dance partner Karen Hauer.

Both couples performed their routines again, with JB and Amy going first with their jive before Paul and his partner Karen performed their Samba to Car Wash by Rose Royce.

The judges all favoured JB and Amy, automatically sending Paul and Karen home. It means that JB and Amy have headed back into training on Monday morning (October 21) for the show's Halloween special.

But beforehand, Amy spoke about herself and JB's unfortunate stint in the bottom-two as she looked ahead to the next weeek of Strictly's 20th-anniversary series.

Alongside a picture of the pair in their outfits from their jive, the professional said: "That was nerve wracking! But as always so proud of you @jbgill and no matter what pushing through! Proud of us! Let’s keep pushing and most importantly having fun!"

She added: "@paulmerseofficial and @karenhauer you guys have been a blast to watch and no dance off is ever pleasant, gutted for you two but you have brought so much fun and energy to the ballroom each week!"

JB was quick to respond, writing in the comments section: "Thank you partner!! Bring on week 6!!!" before her fans and followers showed their support.

@trio_of_whippets said: "Oh my goodness why oh why! You really should never have been in the dance off , sooo pleased your through." @leace1971 commented: "Should never have been in the bottom 2." @angelinaballerina1607 wrote: "Not easy to watch at all but you both rose like phoenixes to the challenge and triumphed!!! So so excited to see you through to Halloween Week next weekend."

@amysdowdenn replied: "Didn’t enjoy seeing you in the dance off but SO relieved you’re through another week, only way is up now!!!! roll on Halloween." @amydcwden echoed: "It wasn’t easy to watch but so so incredibly happy you’re through to halloween week." @mariej15 added: "Thank god!!!! We won’t be having that again… Will keep voting for you and supporting you until the final."