Amy Dowden has lauded her Strictly Come Dancing partner Thomas Skinner following Saturday's launch show as they gear up for the first live show of the series.
Both Ms Dowden and Mr Skinner were delighted during Saturday's launch to be paired with one another, with the latter promising the pro dancer he'd give "110 percent" despite having "two left feet".
The pair even got their first taste on the dancefloor when they performed during the group number at the end of the show.
However, it wasn't all smiles, sequins, and glitz and glam, as Mr Skinner continued to face complaints from irked BBC viewers over his inclusion on the show.
BBC Strictly: Amy and Thomas were paired up during Saturday's launch
|BBC
As a result, these naysayers ended up expressing their dismay that Ms Dowden had been paired with The Apprentice star.
Social media was soon awash with bitter Strictly fans claiming Ms Dowden "deserved better", needed "justice", and that the pairing was "unfair" on the Welsh pro dancer.
But Ms Dowden ignored all of that as she defiantly stood by her celebrity partner in a heartfelt statement just moments after the launch show ended.
"The news is out!" Ms Dowden penned to her 704k Instagram followers on Saturday evening: "@iamtomskinner and I are excited and working hard rrrrrready for the first live show next Saturday!
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BBC Strictly: Thomas Skinner was delighted to be paired with Amy
|BBC
"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 signed off.
Mr Skinner responded to Ms Dowden's heartfelt tribute, writing in the comments of the social media post: "Really really enjoyed training with you this week.
"You are honestly an amazing person and everything you have been through…. Shows how strong and inspiring you are.
BBC Strictly: Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden's chemistry was clear for all to see
|BBC
"I promise I won’t let you down. 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. Bosh."
And Mr Skinner reciprocated the kind words on his page, too. "Let me introduce you to an absolute legend, me partner for Strictly Come Dancing," he said in his own post.
"The lovely @amy_dowden - We ain’t stopped laughing since we met, and she is teaching me the moves which you’ll see at the end of the video.
BBC Strictly: Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden
|BBC
"Honoured to be doing Strictly and I’ll be posting lots of behind the scenes videos. Honestly, never fort I would love dancing as much as I am! Enjoy. Bosh." (sic)
Mr Skinner has come under fire from certain parts of the Strictly fandom ever since he was confirmed to compete.
Much of the ire was initially put down to his patriotic views and political takes online, of which he made no apologies for being a proud Brit.
However, the criticism heightened in recent days after a former "fling" came forward with details of an affair with Mr Skinner from three and a half years ago.
Mr Skinner has tackled all of the contentious issues head-on, sharing apologies where necessary and taking full accountability for all the "mistakes" he's made in his past.
And for all the critics calling for his axe, Mr Skinner was met with dozens of other viewers urging him to go all the way.
The Apprentice star looks like he'll make it through Week One at least, according to bookmakers, with entertainment reporter Ross King the frontrunner for the boot.
The Lorraine star even jokingly addressed the worrying odds during his introduction to the Strictly universe, prompting laughs from the crowd.