Thomas Skinner makes promise to Amy Dowden after dividing fans

Thomas Skinner has vowed he won't let Amy Dowden down after the pair's partnership was revealed in last night's Strictly Come Dancing launch.

Former star of The Apprentice Thomas had got off to a controversial start before even setting foot on the dancefloor after admitting to an affair while married and throwing a strop at a press day for the show where he snatched a reporter's phone.

The Essex entrepreneur has vowed to put the drama behind him after being partnered with one of Strictly's fan favourites Amy. Viewers saw the couple learn they had been paired up to compete on Saturday night's launch.

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Taking to social media after the show had gone out, Amy revealed what she really thought of her partner. Taking to Instagram she penned: "Tom is working so hard and is loving learning to dance ( more than he ever imagined). We are laughing lots too!

"Honestly Tom it’s been so lovely getting to know the really lovely, bubbly, full of life you this week. Thanks for a great week and so looking forward to our strictly journey ahead! Let’s do this," she vowed.

Fans in the comments appeared far less enthusiastic than Amy. "You deserved better," one told her. "You look amazing Amy. Great to see u back. So sorry you got the short straw with him though," another added. Not rating Tom's chances another chimed in: "Poor Amy, I’m gutted for her, she deserved a better partner."

Undeterred by some negativity, Thomas made a promise to Amy as he gave his response.

"Really really enjoyed training with you this week," he began. "You are honestly an amazing person and everything you have been through…. Shows how strong and inspiring you are.

"I promise I won’t let you down," he told his partner. "I might not be the best dancer. But I promise I’ll be the hardest worker. Thank you for being so kind and lovely to me and I’ve enjoyed your company so much. I ain’t stopped laughing with ya. Can’t wait to get on that dance floor with ya next week."

Amy has proved an inspiration to fans after returning to Strictly last year after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

The dancer first found a lump in her breast the day before going to the Maldives on her honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones, and was subsequently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.

As she underwent treatment, Amy took a step back from her work commitments and Strictly. In February last year she announced tests showed she has “no evidence of disease” and it was later confirmed she would return to Strictly Come Dancing for its 20th anniversary series.

However, Amy, who was partnered with JLS' JB Gill, quit the show midway through after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in her foot. As she looks forward to getting back on the Strictly ballroom dance floor, she said she remained "on a mission to raise awareness" about breast cancer.

Amy, who also has Crohn's disease, said her health battles have 'changed her life forever' but said she felt stronger than ever on her Strictly return and hoped to take every opportunity available to her.