Amy Dowden has hinted that she could return to Strictly Come Dancing for a group number after suffering a shin injury.
The 34-year-old was rushed to hospital as a “precaution” on 26 October and did not perform on the Saturday night show on 2 November. She was replaced by fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley as celebrity JB Gill’s dance partner.
She got emotional in an appearance on the BBC’s It Takes Two: “I’m absolutely gutted. Unfortunately, I have a stress fracture on my shin. I’m absolutely gutted, I need to rest for a couple of weeks.
“Hopefully I will be back dancing, hopefully in a group number by the end of the series. Fingers crossed.”
She added the injury wasn’t a repeat of any previous injuries or previous treatment for breast cancer and she said she would be JB’s “biggest cheerleader” as he continues with “the amazing Lauren”.
Asked if she has spoken with JB, she replied: “We’ve spoken a lot and formed such a lovely friendship. He has so much rhythm in that body – he is going to be spectacular.”
She got emotional being back on the show, through tears she said: “It is everything [being back] sorry I’m heartbroken being back with the Strictly family, with the best rehab.”
In an update issued on Monday, a spokesperson for Strictly said: “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.”
The dancer was unable to compete in last year’s competition as she underwent treatment for breast cancer. In May 2023, she was diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of stage three breast cancer finding a lump in her breast the day before her Maldives honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones.
She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and fertility treatment in those nine months and was eventually told she had “no evidence of disease” in February 2024.