Amy Dowden issues heartfelt statement to JB Gill ahead of performance with stand-in Lauren Oakley: ‘You’re a star’
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has issued a heartfelt statement to JB Gill ahead of his performance tonight with Lauren Oakley – Dowden’s replacement after she fell ill.
It was announced during the week that Oakley would be dancing with the JLS star after Dowden collapsed and fell ill backstage of the BBC show.
The star has kept quiet since the incident, but returned to TV last night and joined Gill and Oakley on the It Takes Two sofa with Janette Manrara.
Tonight, Gill and Oakley will be performing the Couple’s Choice to Bruno Mars Medley by Bruno Mars for Icons Week.
Dowden took to her Instagram account earlier today to wish Gill and Oakley the best of luck, whilst praising his skills to adapt to a new partner so quickly.
Alongside an image of the pair, Dowden penned: “Wishing these two the absolute best of luck tonight! I’m going to be your biggest cheerleader!
“@jbgill it says everything about how you’ve been able to adapt to a new professional and produce such a great number (so excited for everyone to see) whilst supporting me! I’m so lucky! You’re a STAR! I know what tonight means to you! Thank you!
“@laurenmayoakley thank you, I knew Jay would be in safe hands and have a fabulous time with you! You know I’ve always adored your dancing since I ran up to you in Blackpool Tower at 8 years old to tell you! Thank you, darling!
“@lizzie.gough, thank you for choreographing such a brilliant routine! LOVE IT! Thank you! Also, a big thank you for all the love and support I’ve received this past week. So grateful and certainly helped!
“Now tune into the first ever ICONS week on strictly!”
Gill was quick to respond to the sweet message and replied: “@amy_dowden you are the best. Your belief in me is so uplifting and your fighting spirit is second to none!
“Thank you for being my biggest champion and I know that @laurenmayoakley and I will do you PROUD.” (sic)
Fans of the show have been eagerly waiting for Dowden to give them an update on the incident, to which she issued last night.
Manrara welcomed the trio to the show and said: “This is a full couch! I want to start off with you, Amy, how are you doing?”
The professional dancer replied: “I am doing so much better, I’d like to thank everyone for all of the love and support I’ve received and to my Strictly family.”
Whilst she didn’t go into detail about what happened, fans were pleased to see her back in the show and on the mend.
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The Beat Again singer previously opened up about how it had been training without Dowden and told BBC Radio 2 host OJ Borg: “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.”
