Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not be returning to the show for the series, it has been announced.
The Welsh dancer, 34, who is in remission from breast cancer and suffers from Crohn’s disease, was forced to pull out of last weekend’s show after collapsing backstage.
Her professional partner Lauren Oakley was recruited as her replacement to perform with JLS star JB Gill for Saturday night’s show.
It was confirmed on Monday’s episode of It Takes Two that Amy will not be returning for the rest of the series, as she recovers from a “foot injury.”
A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be taking part in the rest of the competition this year.
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to the show, it has been announced
The Welsh dancer, 34, who is in remission from breast cancer and has Crohn’s disease, was forced to pull out of last weekend’s show after collapsing backstage.
‘While Amy focuses on her recovery after a foot injury, her fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, will act as JB’s dance partner.
‘The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly is always the top priority. “The whole Strictly family sends love and well wishes to Amy.”
Amy was just 32 years old when, in May last year, she received the shocking news that she had stage 3 breast cancer.
At the time he was filming the BBC series Dare To Dance and said he realized “something wasn’t right”. She found a lump in her breast the day before she went on her honeymoon with her husband Benjamin.
Later that year, he was diagnosed again with another unspecified type of cancer and underwent chemotherapy treatment.
Amy returned to the hospital in August 2024 for more tests and was eventually given the all-clear.
After a year of scandal, BBC bosses were delighted that Amy could return to the show following her battle with cancer while being paired with JB.
But during last month’s live Halloween special, she was admitted to hospital after collapsing at Elstree studios, the BBC show’s Hertfordshire base, after suffering a “medical emergency” backstage.
Her professional partner Lauren Oakley was recruited as her replacement to perform with JLS star JB Gill for Saturday night’s show.
It was confirmed on Monday’s episode of It Takes Two that Amy will not be returning for the rest of the series, as she recovers from a ‘foot injury’.
A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be taking part in the remainder of the competition this year.”
During last month’s live Halloween special, she was admitted to hospital after collapsing at Elstree studios, the BBC show’s Hertfordshire base, after suffering a “medical emergency”.
Moments before her hospital run, Amy had performed the Foxtrot from Toploader’s hit Dancing In The Moonlight with her famous partner JB-bBut fans noticed that the dancer was partially seated during her last performance.
On Sunday night Strictly, viewers watched JB and his temporary partner Lauren Oakley skip the dance and spend another week.
JB paid a sweet tribute to Amy during Sunday night’s results presentation.
The singer and Lauren rose to the top of the rankings with their partner’s chosen performance in a Bruno Mars Medley, with a near-perfect score of 39 out of 40.
And when it was revealed the couple would be safe for another week, JB looked into the camera and mouthed “To you, Amy” as he dedicated the performance to the Welsh dancer.
Amy, 34, broke down in tears as she watched JB and her replacement Lauren score a near-perfect score for their routine.
As Amy watched JLS star JB and Lauren receive their score, she began to cry, with some viewers saying that although she seemed happy, it would have been difficult not to have made it with JB.
Amy, 34, broke down in tears as she watched JB and his replacement Lauren score a near-perfect score for their routine.
JB danced with Lauren on Saturday after Amy was forced to miss the show following her hospital visit a week earlier.
She said: ‘I’m so grateful to you Lauren. Thanks Lauren, thanks J, you too are just amazing. I just wish I was there with you.
Hours before JB and choreographer Lauren hit the dance floor, Amy wrote a heartfelt message of support for the couple on social media.
In a post on Instagram on Saturday, Amy shared a photo of Lauren and JB and wrote in the caption: ‘Wishing these two the best of luck tonight! I’m going to be your biggest cheerleader!’
Addressing her dance partner directly, Amy continued: ‘JB, it says everything how you’ve been able to adapt to a new professional, producing such a great number (so excited for everyone to see it) while supporting me!
‘I’m so lucky! You are a STAR! I know what tonight means to you! Thank you!’
The blonde beauty also had kind words for Lauren after she stepped up to temporarily replace her on the show.
Amy shared: ‘Thank you, I knew Jay would be in good hands and have a fabulous time with you!
JB and his professional partner Lauren performed their choice of partner to a Bruno Mars medley.
‘You know I’ve always loved your dancing ever since I ran up to you at Blackpool Tower when I was 8 to tell you! Thanks love!’
To complete her sweet message, Amy also thanked Strictly’s choreographers for “such a brilliant routine”, while sharing her gratitude for the support she has received from fans.
‘Also thank you very much for all the love and support I received last week. Very grateful and certainly helped! Now tune in to the first week of Strictly ICONS!’ she concluded.
JB then responded with his most heartfelt words, writing: ‘You are the best. Your faith in me is so uplifting and your fighting spirit is second to none!
“Thank you for being my biggest champion and I know @laurenmayoakley and I will be PROUD.”
When Amy appeared on last week’s It Takes Two, Janette Manrara asked: “I want to start with you, Amy, how are you?”
Amy appeared to be in great spirits as she chatted to presenter Janette Manrara, looking glamorous in a stunning blue two-piece suit.
The professional dancer responded: “Yes, I feel much better and I would just like to thank everyone for all the love and support I have received and my Strictly family.”
Commenting on what this week has been like later in the show, she said: “I’m so proud and so grateful to Lauren – they’ve worked so hard and JB has been so supportive.”
“He’s just down on his knees and they’ve both been messaging me all week.”
During the interview, Lauren explained that the three of them have a Whatsapp group and that she and JB have been sending videos to Amy regularly to keep her informed.
Amy chimed in: “I called it Team and a star next door, we’ve been sending videos and messages every day.”