Strictly’s Amy Dowden broke down in tears as she watched JB Gill and her replacement Lauren Oakley score a near-perfect score on Saturday night.
The Welsh dancer, 34, was forced to pull out of this weekend’s show after collapsing backstage last week, with her professional partner Lauren drafted in as her replacement.
And as Amy watched JLS star JB and Lauren receive an incredible 39 points out of 40, she began to cry with joy.
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.
JB, 37, and his professional partner Lauren, 33, performed their choice of partner to a Bruno Mars medley.
Strictly’s Amy Dowden, 34, broke down in tears as she watched JB Gill, 37, and her replacement Lauren Oakley, 33, get a near-perfect score on Saturday night.
The Welsh dancer was forced to pull out of this weekend’s show after collapsing backstage last week, with her professional partner Lauren recruited as her replacement.
Hours before JB and choreographer Lauren hit the dance floor, Amy, who is believed to be in remission after battling breast cancer and has Crohn’s disease, wrote a heartfelt message of support for the couple on social networks.
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! 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.
And as Amy watched JLS star JB and Lauren receive an incredible 39 points out of 40, she began to cry with joy.
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’
Strictly Come Dancing returned to the ballroom on Saturday night for a special themed Icons Week, which saw couples dance to legendary tunes from some of the world’s most iconic music artists.
The show began with a stunning performance by professional dancers performing a medley of Beyoncé’s hits.
Johannes Radebe led the routine while channeling his inner Sasha Fierce, which included bejeweled cowboy hats, power ballad moves, and brilliant sass.
Chris McCausland, 47, and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, 35, paid tribute to KISS, dancing a Tango to Rock and Roll All Nite.
Speaking about what makes an icon, Chris said: “Someone who has been at the forefront of something and managed to stick with it, like Alice Cooper.” He’s been at the forefront of rock music since the ’60s.’
Former professional hockey player Sam Quek, 36, and Nikita Kuzmin, 25, honored Taylor Swift with an American Smooth for ‘Love Story.’
Next, Pete Wicks, 36, turned into Freddie Mercury in a salsa to ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ alongside his dance partner Jowita Przystał, 30.
Gladiator Montell Douglas, 36, and Johannes performed a waltz to ‘I Will Always Love You’ for Whitney Houston.
Wynne Evans, 52, and Katya Jones, 35, paid tribute to Shirley Bassey in a rumba with ‘This is My Life’.
Sarah Hadland, 53, and Vito Coppola, 33, put on a spectacular show with a Madonna-inspired Cha Cha in ‘Like a Prayer.’
Tasha Ghouri, 26, and Aljaž Škorjanec, 34, celebrated P!nk while dancing to their partner’s chosen song on ‘What About Us’.
Eastenders star Jamie Borthwick, 30, and Michelle Tsiakkas, 29, channeled George Michael in their Samba on ‘Faith’.
The last to take the stage were singer Shayne Ward, 40, and his partner Nancy Xu, 33, who celebrated The Beatles while dancing a Quickstep to ‘Help!’