Sunday, December 22, 2024

Strictly stars and fans rally behind Amy Dowden as she is forced to miss results show after collapsing backstage: Drama comes eight months after dancer revealed she was cancer-free after a year of gruelling treatment

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Strictly Come Dancing stars and viewers have rallied around Amy Dowden after the professional dancer was rushed to hospital over the weekend.  

JLS star JB Gill was forced to stand solo for Sunday night’s results show after his partner Amy collapsed backstage after filming wrapped on Saturday’s live show. 

Amy, who missed the 2023 series of Strictly after being diagnosed with breast cancer, was forced to miss Sunday’s Results show, which was pre-recorded shortly after her collapse on Saturday night.

JLS star JB shared an Instagram message on Sunday as the pair made it through to another week, writing ‘on behalf of both @amydowden and I.’

‘I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for voting for us and wishing us well. We absolutely loved our performance on Saturday night and are SO grateful to be through to another week Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support.’

JB’s message was met with an outpouring of love for Amy from her co-stars and fans.

Strictly Come Dancing star JB Gill was forced to stand solo for Sunday night’s results show after his partner Amy Dowden was rushed to hospital on Saturday night  (pictured on Saturday night’s show)

JLS star JB shared an Instagram message on Sunday as the pair made it through to another week, writing 'on behalf of both @amydowden and I'

JLS star JB shared an Instagram message on Sunday as the pair made it through to another week, writing ‘on behalf of both @amydowden and I’

Pete Wicks and Amy’s close friend on the show, fellow pro Dianne Buswell both posted heart emojis. JB also reposted messages from fan accounts voicing their excitement that the pair would be competing for another week. 

Amy has so far not posted on social media since Saturday night. 

But fans rushed to X – formerly known as Twitter – to send the professional dancer well wishes and a speedy recovery.

‘Sending our heartfelt best wishes for a speedy return to the studio! We love watching you and JB dancing!; Wishing best wishes and a speedy recovery to the wonderful, inspirational Amy Dowden.’

‘Sending love & best wishes to #amydowden She is so inspirational… overcoming so much. Great to see her back on #Strictly Please be well enough to continue this series…’

‘Sending lots of love to Amy Dowden. And I hope she is feeling so much better now; Hoping Amy Dowden is doing ok & wishing her well’

‘Hope @AmyDowden feels better soon. Sending much love and prayers.’

At the start of the show hosts Tess Daly and Claudia confirmed Amy would not be appearing in the results show on Sunday after she was rushed to hospital on Saturday evening.

Giving an update to viewers at home as she opened the show, Tess said: ‘Amy is unable to be with us for tonight’s show.’

Appearing solo on Sunday’s show, viewers also saw JB tell host Claudia: ‘Amy, of course is going to be so happy that we are through to Icon’s week.’ 

JB stood on his own during the results show after it was reported Amy was rushed to hospital after she collapsed backstage following the live show on Saturday

JB stood on his own during the results show after it was reported Amy was rushed to hospital after she collapsed backstage following the live show on Saturday

Giving an update to viewers at home as she opened the show, Tess said: 'Amy is unable to be with us for tonight's show'

Giving an update to viewers at home as she opened the show, Tess said: ‘Amy is unable to be with us for tonight’s show’

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said on Sunday: ‘We were called just after 9pm on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.

‘An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet Hospital for further care.’

Moments earlier the dancer had performed the Foxtrot to Toploader hit Dancing In The Moonlight with her celebrity partner, JLS star JB Gill.

But fans noted the dancer was partially seated during her latest performance.

The pair climbed to number five on the Strictly leaderboard after being awarded a collective score of 32 from show judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

A statement from Amy’s spokesperson confirmed: ‘Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution. 

After getting through to Icon's week without Amy by his side, JB said: 'Amy, of course is going to be so happy that we are through to Icon's week'

After getting through to Icon’s week without Amy by his side, JB said: ‘Amy, of course is going to be so happy that we are through to Icon’s week’

The Sunday Results show for Strictly is recorded after the live show on Saturday night, with Amy thought to have collapsed during the brief break the cast takes between shows (pictured with dance partner JB Gill during Saturday's live show)

The Sunday Results show for Strictly is recorded after the live show on Saturday night, with Amy thought to have collapsed during the brief break the cast takes between shows (pictured with dance partner JB Gill during Saturday’s live show)

The Wesh ballroom dancer, 34, who is understood to be in remission after battling breast cancer, was taken to hospital by paramedics at around 9pm on Saturday

The Wesh ballroom dancer, 34, who is understood to be in remission after battling breast cancer, was taken to hospital by paramedics at around 9pm on Saturday

‘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 returned to the show following a one year absence in September.

Her world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with cancer the day after she came home from her honeymoon with dancer husband Ben Jones in 2023.

While she hoped it could be cured by surgery, two months later in June doctors found another type of cancer.

In what became the toughest year of her life, the professional dancer underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment and also almost died of sepsis.

Amy, who also battles Crohn’s disease, confirmed she was cancer-free in February.

While she will not get the all-clear for five years and will still need treatment, she thanked her family and friends for their support amid her ‘toughest year’. 

She was taken to hospital and will therefore not appear during Sunday's show, leaving her dance partner JB Gill to face the results of the public vote on his own

She was taken to hospital and will therefore not appear during Sunday’s show, leaving her dance partner JB Gill to face the results of the public vote on his own

Sharing a jubilant picture with Instagram followers, she wrote: ‘NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of! My biggest accomplishment yet!

‘I won’t be getting the all clear for 5 years especially with a hormone fed cancer. But it was all worth it. Words I never thought I’d hear at one point.

‘So grateful for all the care I received and continue to have.

‘To my husband, family and friends who supported me unconditionally and to you guys! Thank you!’

She continued: ‘I will still need a monthly injection for 5 years and regular check ups.

‘Chemo and this past year has certainly took its toll on my body both physically and mentally, so I’ll be taking the next few months to heal and recover.

‘I have so much to strive and live for, and so grateful for another chance at life! Something I know not all get. I certainly see life differently and my life has changed forever!

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