Amy Dowden: BBC breaks silence on dancer’s Strictly future after hospital dash
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have revealed they remain “hopeful” that Amy Dowden will return to the dancefloor next week, with Lauren Oakley stepping in to dance with JB Gill on Saturday night.
Dowden returned to the show this year following a two-year absence due to battling breast cancer – which she is now in remission for.
On Saturday night, Dowden and celebrity partner JB Gill performed the Foxtrot to Dancing In The Moonlight by Toploader for their Halloween special.
The star was admitted to hospital shortly after their performance after it was reported she collapsed at Elstree Studios – suffering a “medical emergency” backstage.
A statement from Dowden’s spokesperson at the time read: “Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution.
“She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern. We request Amy’s privacy in matters of health is kindly respected.”
Her future on the show was thrown into doubt, with many fans beginning to worry she “pushed herself” too hard after her return.
Now, Strictly bosses have revealed they remain “hopeful” that the Welsh-born star will be able to return to the show this Saturday to perform her Couples Choice with Gill.
According to The Sun, a spokesman said: “Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better and the Strictly family send her love and wish her well.
“She is delighted that fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday’s show for JB Gill’s Couple’s Choice dance.
“We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week.”
It is said Oakley will rehearse and perform with Gill in Dowden’s absence after the singer avoided the dance-off, finishing fifth on the Strictly leader-board with a collective score of 32 out of a possible 40.
Another source told The Sun: “Lauren will be stepping in today to train with JB. It’s unclear when Amy will be back but everyone just wants her to rest and get better.”
Due to Dowden not being able to attend the results show, Gill stood alone as he waited with bated breath to find out whether he made it through to next week.
As the results show came to a close, Gill took to his Instagram to thank fans for their support and said: “On behalf of both @amy_dowden and I, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for voting for us and wishing us well.
“We absolutely loved our performance on Saturday night and are SO grateful to be through to another week on @bbcstrictly.
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“Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support.” (sic)
Strictly professional Neil Jones also issued an update on Dowden’s health and told Morning Live host Gethin Jones: “Honestly, she’s a trooper. She’s a trooper.
“What she goes through and then she comes back and she’s so strong. We’re always thinking about her. But yeah, she’s incredible.”
