Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has opened up about how close she’s grown towards her dance partner.
The cherished Welsh dancer, who teamed up with JB Gill from JLS in the latest run of Strictly, has created a snug space in her home for her fellow dancer Carlos Gu.
Having extended an invitation to Carlos to make her place his home, Amy is now excitedly prepping for their upcoming UK tour dubbed ‘Amy and Carlos Reborn’. The tour’s moniker is deeply personal for them both.
During a candid chat on the Monday Mile podcast, Amy opened up about feeling “reborn” and like a “new person” following her valiant fight against cancer.
She continued: “For Carlos, moving to the UK, he’s been able to be true to himself. He’s been able to be Carlos Gu, and I’ve watched him become true to himself and I’m so proud of him.”
Delving into the impact of relocating, she shared: “You know, with sexuality – with just, he says like, China, he’s from China but the UK is his home and yeah, he feels reborn since moving to the UK.
“He’s part of my family; he’s spent the last two Christmases with us; he calls my mum and dad ‘Mama, Papa’, and we can’t wait to share our love for dance but our life and our experiences on stage.”
To top it off, Amy hinted at the emotional depth of the show, suggesting that attendees can expect moments packed with emotion and joy, all while the duo exhibits their preferred dance styles and musical choices.
Amy shared with the Guardian how her dance partner Carlos has embraced life in the UK, saying “being gay, he’s accepted in the UK” and can now freely express himself through his clothing choices and “be the Carlos Gu that he had been holding back”.
Carlos himself expressed a sense of belonging on BBC Radio Manchester, stating that they’re “just like family to me” and recounting the “best Christmas I ever had”.
Recently, after kicking off the Strictly tour at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, Amy and Carlos indulged in a Chinese takeaway, with Amy showcasing their feast on Instagram.
Back at the hotel, the duo savoured their well-earned dinner while enjoying an episode of the popular BBC show The Traitors.