STRICTLY STAR AMY DOWDEN AND FIANCE BEN JONES LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR WEDDING
ISSUE 1161 – 20 NOVEMBER 2018
We can’t contain our excitement as Strictly Come Dancing is soon to be back on our screens, and returning to the famous ballroom is professional dancer Amy Dowden. This will be her fourth season on the show, and back in her second year, she and fiancé Ben Jones spoke exclusively to OK! about their unique relationship built on their love of dance.
The couple met as professional partners and went on to become British National Champions in Latin American dance. “We’ve been able to celebrate every emotion together – the highs and the lows. Every success we’ve had we’ve done together which is lovely because not all couples get that,” Amy explained. “We’re always there for each other. We talk about dance 24/7 but to us it’s not work. Our life is dance.”
Their joint passion almost didn’t happen! “Ben only started dancing when he was 14 because he fancied the dance teacher. She was 30 and it turned out she liked women. It worked out for him in the end, though,” Amy laughed.
It’s been a long wait to tie the knot for these lovebirds who got engaged on New Year’s Eve in 2017. The couple planned to wed in a Welsh castle this summer, but coronavirus has meant delaying their special day.
Amy said of her vision for the big day, “I want to get married in a castle and the day to be quite princessy!” She added, “Brian [Conley, Amy’s first Strictly partner] wants to sing, which will be lovely, and Oti [Mabuse] will be a bridesmaid.”
Starring on Strictly was a dream for Amy, now 30, and for her close-knit family. “When I first got the job, Rebecca [Amy’s twin sister] messaged me saying, ‘You’ve made Dad’s life.’ My family live for it.”
The job does have its downfalls, as Amy is forced to be separated from Ben, now 32, while training as he stays behind in Dudley to run their dance school, Art In Motion Dance Academy.
“We’re so busy, so the time goes really quickly,” Ben told us, adding that they never worry about the famous “Strictly curse”. “If you have to discuss it in the first place then there must be an issue. I fully trust Amy,” he added.