Strictly Come Dancing professional Neil Jones has given an update on Amy Dowden’s plans to return to the show. During a chat with Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton on BBC’s Morning Live, Neil assured them that Amy would be making a comeback.
He expressed: “It is one of those things that is really sad. I heard it on the way as I was coming up, and it’s always a hard thing because as a dancer, especially when you have got a partner, you want to go all the way to the end… and when you can’t do that it is very difficult so I do really feel for Amy.
“But, do you know what? Amy is a trooper, I keep saying it. She will come back stronger and better, so all of us wishing her all the best health, she will be back.”
Gethin added, “You know she will still be involved as well… ” Neil confirmed, “She apologised to us last week that she wasn’t there,” reports the Mirror.
On Monday, BBC chiefs posted a statement about Amy on their Instagram account, stating: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year. Whilst Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley will step in as JB’s dance partner. The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes.”
Following the BBC’s announcement, Amy also shared a lengthy post on social media, telling her fans that her “heart is breaking right now”.
She said: “The past few months I finally felt like me again. Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again. My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the Strictly dance floor. It’s been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 to.
“With my incredible team, we got there. Something I wanted to do for myself and loved ones. There was no feeling like it dancing again in the ballroom with my Strictly family. Then I was partnered with the talented, kind, gentle soul JB. Every day, our training room was chilled, hardworking, and full of big smiles, enjoying what we were creating together with a blossoming friendship.
“JB thank you for being the perfect partner back. We topped the leader board week one and continued to work so hard and thank you for being so passionate about understanding the ballroom and Latin fundamentals. For me that rumba will always be one of my favs . I’m so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short.”
Amy concluded her statement by saying she would soon “be back dancing” again and that she had to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury.
She added: “I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB. To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you. I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor . I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader.”
Morning Live airs weekdays at 9.30am on BBC One.