Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden sparked worry among fans after she had to miss the results show due to reportedly collapsing backstage the previous day. Now her co-star is replacing her in training as she recovers.
On Saturday, Amy and her celeb dance partner JB Gill earned a score of 32 for their foxtrot to Toploader’s Dancing In The Moonlight. It’s believed that shortly after the live performance, she began to feel unwell.
It was later confirmed an ambulance was summoned ‘as a precaution’ and that she was ‘feeling much better’.
However, insiders suggested that the star, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and also suffers from Crohn’s Disease, might have to withdraw from the series. If she’s ill, another professional, Lauren Oakley could temporarily step in.
A source told The Sun on Monday: “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.”
For this year’s series, Lauren is the only female Strictly star without a partner. Lauren joined the BBC contest in 2022, alongside Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu and Michelle Tsiakkas, reports the Mirror.
She didn’t have a partner for her debut series and only participated in group routines.
In 2023, she was paired with news presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy and finished in eighth place with him. After Amy’s performance on Saturday, it was disclosed that an ambulance was called when she started feeling unwell.
A representative for Amy commented: “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.”
The East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson remarked: “We were called just after 9pm on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene and one patient, an adult female, was taken to Barnet Hospital for further care.”
Discussing Amy’s absence from the results show, her dance partner JB expressed to host Claudia Winkleman: “Honestly, I’m beside myself and Amy of course is gonna be so happy that we’re through to icons week. It’s an amazing feeling.”
He also disclosed his plans for the following week, noting: “I will be performing a medley next week for couple’s choice week.”
Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer