Amy Dowden sadly had to bow out of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing after an injury, with a spokesperson from the show reiterating how contestants’ health and wellbeing are “the utmost priority”.
While the incident comes as a fresh blow to the dancer, it’s also unfortunate news for her celebrity partner, JLS star JB Gill, who has become close friends with the Welsh Strictly star – and his wife Chloe Gill also got in touch with Dowden following the news.
The 36-year-old has been married to Gill, 37, since 2014 and the couple share two young children. They’ve formed a close bond with Caerphilly-born Dowden since the pair began their Strictly journey in September.
Monday saw the 34-year-old dancer sharing a heartbreaking announcement about having to pull out of the show following a foot injury, which came after she had to miss last week’s show after collapsing backstage.
The BBC competition favourite admitted she had been left “sad and upset,” especially since she was over the moon to be making a return to the show after missing last year’s series while she underwent cancer treatment.
Her candid statement on Instagram reflected on her tough year and sparked several fans and co-stars to get in touch, offering their sympathies and well wishes, and among them was Gill’s wife Chloe.
Lauren Oakley will be replacing Amy Dowden as JB Gill’s BBC Strictly partner
BBC
In a sweet message, she wrote: “Am’s – sending you so much love! I will never forget you both dancing together for the first time.
“The Waltz will forever one be one of my favourite dances. I have no doubt that Team JAMY will do you proud.” (sic)
Gill himself has expressed his devastation at having to say goodbye to Dowden as professional Lauren Oakley was confirmed to be stepping in as her replacement.
“Heartbreaking news @amy_dowden but our moments will be forever in strictly history, never forget that,” he shared under Dowden’s post.
“Thank you for being the best teacher. Nothing but love from all of the Gill family,” he concluded.
Oakley, 33, also sent a heartfelt message to Dowden as she offered a sweet message in which she made a vow to her co-star.
Oakley responded in the comments section of the post with a powerful message as she shared: “This too shall pass. We’re still a team. Love you.”
Issuing a vow to the dancer, she continued: “You did the ground work, I’ll carry your partnership forward and hopefully make you proud XXX.”
Fans were touched by Oakley’s promise, with many expressing how moving they had found the message.
It comes after a Strictly spokesperson confirmed on Monday’s It Takes Two that a foot injury has meant Dowden won’t return after missing last week’s instalment.
Chloe Gill left Amy Dowden a sweet message following the sad BBC Strictly news
The fresh blow comes after the Ballroom and Latin dancer was unable to take part in the 2023 series as she underwent cancer treatment, and her lengthy post on Monday touched on how she had been excited to finally be able to focus on dancing again after a difficult year.
She admitted she had been asking ‘why me?’ but ended on a positive as she promised to continue to support singer Gill.
Confirming the sad news about Dowden’s withdrawal, a Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year.”
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.”