Amy Dowden has quit her role on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing after having to pull out last weekend’s show due to health concerns.
The Welsh dancer, 34, was absent for all of last year’s show as she underwent treatment for cancer and was delighted to be given the okay to return for the 2024 series. Sadly though, she suffered a worrying health issue last week.
Paired with JLS star JB Gill, Dowden had formed a strong partnership with the singer and the two were consistently achieving promising scores from the judges.
The dancer was heartbroken ahead of Week Seven though when she was forced to pull out of the show after collapsing, and it has now been confirmed she won’t be returning to the series.
As announced on Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two, Lauren Oakley, who stepped in last week to dance with Gill, will be permanently taking Dowden’s place on the show for the rest of the series.
A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year.”
Lauren Oakley has replaced Amy Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing
BBC
The statement continued: “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.”
More to follow