JB Gill admits ‘it’s been surreal’ as he breaks silence on Amy Dowden absence in BBC Strictly rehearsals
Strictly Come Dancing star JB Gill has broken his silence after his professional partner Amy Dowden was rushed to the hospital after Saturday night’s live show.
Moments before the Sunday results show was set to be filmed, Strictly-favourite Dowden was involved in a “medical emergency” after falling ill.
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called just after 9pm on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.
“An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet Hospital for further care.”
It has since been announced that Dowden will not be competing this weekend, with Gill instead dancing alongside Lauren Oakely.
Strictly issued a statement via their Instagram page which read: “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.”
Fans have been eager to hear from Gill or Dowden for an update, with the Beat Again singer finally offering some positivity on the subject.
Speaking to OJ Borg on BBC Radio 2, Gill explained: “We’ve been able to build an incredible rapport over the last six /seven weeks and it’s been great going to the training room with her and working on the new routine.
“You know, for me, learning different styles – whether it’s a Ballroom style or new Latin style – and then watching that process sort of, as it builds, into the show that we put on, on the Saturday night.
“So, to not have her in rehearsals this week has been a bit surreal. But you know, the best thing […] is that she’s taken some time to get better. We’re obviously wishing her all the best as she recovers.”
Dowden is yet to address her health scare but previously told The Mail that the standards this year were very high, leaving her to find the series “very tough”.
“The reality is now that there are 10 couples left and two of them will be in the dance-off each week.
“But it’s happened, and we live to dance another day.”
Neil Jones also offered hope on Dowden’s return, and recently told Morning Live’s Gethin Jones: “All of us pros, we get involved, we are always there for our partners.
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“So, I was there still rehearsing, not dancing with her but I was still in the room. That could be happening, and it is going to be good for JB, it’s going to be great for Amy and he is in safe hands with Lauren.
“It’s getting used to how people dance and how people move around but Amy will 100 per cent still be there with them, helping out.
“But it is one of them things where they also have assistance. They come in, check on, the celebs have so many pros around them all the time to help.”
