Strictly's James Bye says exit was 'worst experience of life' as Amy Dowden breaks down

express.co.uk:

James Bye, 38, appeared with his professional dancer partner Amy Dowden, 32.Speaking to host Rylan Clark about their best efforts to stay in the competition, James recalled going up against his co-star Fleur East, 35, who as James said, “knows what she is doing”.Becoming the fifth celebrity to be voted off the BBC dance competition, EastEnders actor James appeared on It Takes Two to give his farewell interview, a ritual all couples go through after exiting the competition.When asked by Rylan what was going through his mind when they received the devastating news that they were going into the dance off, James replied: “It is up there with one of the worst experiences of my life.“Especially when you know you have to go against Fleur East.”Nodding along in agreement, Rylan echoed James’ thoughts saying: “She is pretty good!”“She knows what she is doing,” James replied, before going on to say that he loves her to “bits” making the entire experience all the more difficult to do.He said: “That is the other thing.

It is horrible to feel like I am competing with someone I have got really close with, to someone who is such a lovely person and I know I am going to go.”Admitting that the result did not come as a surprise to him, James went on to reassure fans at home that he wouldn’t have wanted to have left the competition any other way, and that his experience ended on a high.What made his time on the show that extra bit special was being partnered with Amy, who James said “makes Strictly”.Boasting about his professional partner and now lifelong friend, James said: “Amy is what Strictly is all about.