AMY Dowden’s Strictly replacement Lauren Oakley has broken her silence – and her made JB Gill a heartfelt promise.
It comes after Amy, 37 – who was recently given the all clear from breast cancer – was rushed to hospital on Saturday night after collapsing backstage following the main show.
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This meant that Amy did not appear in the pre-recorded results show that airs on Sunday night.
Yesterday The Sun exclusively revealed that this week Amy will be replaced by Strictly pro Lauren Oakley.
Last night Lauren took to her social media to send Amy her best wishes as she dances with her celebrity partner JB Gill this weekend.
Resharing the BBC‘s statement about her replacement, Lauren added: “Sending you so much love and well wishes @amy_dowden.
“Hope you’re back on the dance floor as soon as possible!
“I will look after @jbgill for you this week, I hope we make you proud!”
Lauren – who joined the show in 2022 – doesn’t have a partner this year.
We exclusively reported how the JLS hitmaker will dance with Lauren and start training together, as Amy recovers.
A source was first to tell us: “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.”
Last night a major health update was revealed.
She was said to be “doing much better” but will be unable to return this week.
A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: “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.”
Strictly Amy’s cancer ‘nightmare’
The Sun’s Jamie Downham takes a look at the beloved Strictly star’s ups and downs…
AS Strictly Come Dancing viewers know, you’ll struggle to catch Amy Dowden without a huge smile on her face.
But recently the Welsh star – one the best-rated Ballroom and Latin American professional dancers the UK has ever produced – has suffered a string of “nightmare” blows to her health.
She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year and underwent a full mastectomy, before having chemotherapy towards the end of 2023.
However, she later reported docs had found a clot on her lung, telling fans sadly: “Unfortunately I’ve had another nightmare this week.”
Nonetheless, brave Amy, seen here dancing with James Bye, made an epic return to Strictly the following month with an appearance that left many viewers in floods tears.
As 2024 dawned, she admitted: “I feel I was robbed of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry.”
However, she was soon smiling again. Amy, her hair starting to grow back after her cancer treatment, was seen messing around with her co-stars Dianne Buswell and Vito Coppola on the Strictly tour earlier this month.
And despite another spell in hospital in February, she still mustered a cheeriness many would struggle for, telling fans: “The sun is shining – and I certainly can’t wait for Spring.”
And we certainly can’t wait to see you dancing again, Amy…
Fans of the programme feared for ‘tired’ Amy a WEEK before her shock collapse.
Amy could be forced to quit the contest after her collapse and she was seen by paramedics at Elstree Studios.
A Strictly insider said: “Amy was obviously in huge distress. “Everyone around her was equally upset because they felt so helpless.
“JB had to be given a hug.
“Even the medic who first attended to Amy needed support and consolation.
“The only thing they could do was try to get her to hospital as quickly and safely as possible.”
As a result, her celebrity partner JB was left standing alone as Claudia and Tess revealed he was through to next week’s competition.
Following the news, Claudia told him: “I know you’re here without Amy, but on behalf of both of you, how happy are you that you’re not in the bottom two?”
The JLS singer replied: “Honestly, I’m beside myself, and Amy, of course, is going to be so happy that we’re through to icons.”
He added how Amy and him will perform a Bruno Mars medley during next week’s show.
A spokesperson for Amy said: “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.”
Amy, who joined Strictly in 2017, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in May 2023.
The past year has seen the star undergo a mastectomy, numerous rounds of chemotherapy and fertility treatment.
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