Amy Dowden has provided an update on her health during her appearance on It Takes Two after her recent health scare on Strictly Come Dancing.
JLS star JB Gill is now paired with professional dancer Lauren Oakley this week as Amy steps back from the show. Amy, who made a full-time return to Strictly this year following her cancer battle, collapsed after last week’s live show.
Paramedics were called to the scene and Amy was taken to hospital for further checks. Her representative issued a statement saying: “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.”
On tonight’s It Takes Two, Lauren and JB Gill were interviewed together, while Amy also joined the show. She expressed her gratitude, stating: “I’m feeling so much better, I just want to say thank you to my lovely Strictly family.”
Amy disclosed that she, Lauren, and JB have been keeping in touch through a group chat, sharing photos and videos with each other. She continued: “Not only does he have a new partner, he has a new style as well! I’m so grateful to Lauren and JB has been so supportive of me. The both of them have been messaging me all week.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Although it was initially thought that Amy might return this week, a subsequent statement confirmed that she would be temporarily replaced.
“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,” the show announced.
After the incident, JB expressed his gratitude on social media for the public’s support.
On his Instagram, he wrote: “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 Strictly. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support.”
*Strictly: It Takes Two airs weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.