Strictly Come Dancing fans have shown an outpouring of concern and support for pro dancer Amy Dowden as she was forced to pull out of Sunday night’s results show after being rushed to hospital. The Welsh dancer is currently competing in the competition with JLS star JB Gill, having been unable to compete last year while she underwent treatment for breast cancer. But while Amy and JB wowed the judges on Saturday night with their Halloween Week Foxtrot to ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’, Amy was not present in the results show, which was pre-recorded just hours after the live show on Saturday.
Presenter Tess Daly told viewers, ‘Amy is unable to be with us for tonight’s show,’ with her spokesperson confirming that Amy had been feeling unwell after the live show. An ambulance was called as a ‘precaution’, they confirmed, saying, ‘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.’
JB stood alone during the results’ announcement and celebrated when the pair went through to Icons Week. On Instagram, he wrote, ‘On behalf of both @amy_dowden 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 on @bbcstrictly Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support.’
After she didn’t appear in the results show, fans asked whetherAmy had quit Strictly. While Amy’s representatives confirmed that she was feeling ‘much better’, she is yet to post on Instagram since going to hospital. On Monday, a BBC spokesperson confirmed that her fellow pro dancer Lauren Oakley, who did not have a celebrity partner during this series, was standing in for Amy in the first day of this week’s rehearsals with JB.
Amy was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 after finding a lump in her breast just before she went on her honeymoon. The pro, who also suffers from Crohn’s disease, underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, and returned to Strictly last series with her head completely shaved. This February, doctors told her there was ‘no evidence of disease’ and her Strictly return was announced in the summer – although Amy did face another cancer scare this summer that thankfully ended in an all-clear from her doctors.
On social media, fans were quick to send messages of support to Amy. Last year, the 34-year-old was diagnosed with cancer twice, ‘Such a good dancing partnership. Hope Amy is OK and wishing her a speedy recovery,’ one commenter wrote. ‘Get well soon Ames, our little fighter!’ another fan posted. ‘Hope to see you back on that dance floor again when you're rrrrrrready.’ ‘GET WELL SOON AMY!!! Praying for your full and speedy recovery,’ read another comment.