Amy Dowden has sadly had to withdraw from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing following an injury.
The 34-year-old pulled out of last week’s episode of the beloved BBC competition after collapsing backstage, but it seemed promising that she would be returning to dance with partner JB Gill this weekend.
However, the show issued a statement confirming that Dowden has had to leave the series, which was revealed on Monday’s spin-off show, It Takes Two.
Now, Dowden herself has shared a statement following the news, revealing the extent of her heartbreak over the update.
Posting on her Instagram account, the Welsh-born choreographer shared: “My heart is breaking right now.
“The past few months I finally felt like me again. Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up.
Amy Dowden has issued a heartbreaking statement after withdrawing from BBC Strictly
BBC
“It was choreography, music choices, which dances were in 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,” she continued.
“It’s been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 to.
“Which 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.”
Paying tribute to the JLS star, she added: “Every day our training room was chilled, hardworking and full of big smiles enjoying what we was 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.”
In a moving sign-off, she confessed: “My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and I’ll be soon better and back dancing. Something I’ve had to get used to in my life.
Amy Dowden vowed to continue being JB Gill’s ‘cheerleader’
BBC
“I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you.”
“JB I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader.”
She captioned the post with only a heartbroken emoji. Fans rushed to the comments section to offer support to the popular Strictly star.
It comes after a Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said earlier on Monday evening: “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.”
As Monday’s It Takes Two started, host Fleur East shared the unfortunate news, reading the statement before adding: “Sending you all our love Amy, get better soon.”