If you tuned into Strictly Come Dancing over the weekend, you may have noticed that JB Gill wasn’t partnered with his usual professional partner, Amy Dowden, as he took to the floor on Saturday night with Lauren Oakley to dance to a Bruno Mars medley.
Unfortunately following the live performances on 26 October, Amy Dowden – who has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2023 and also suffers from Crohn’s disease – was taken to hospital after collapsing backstage and subsequently advised not to perform the Couple’s Choice routine with JB during Strictly Come Dancing’s first-ever Icons Week.
As a result, Lauren was asked to step in and perform with JB instead, and the pair received an incredible score of 39 from the judges.
And it turns out that we're going to be seeing a lot more of Lauren this series of Strictly Come Dancing because Amy has sadly had to pull out of the competition for good.
A statement from the BBC read, '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.'
So, as she takes centre stage with JB, here's everything you need to know about Lauren Oakley.
When did Lauren Oakley join Strictly?
Despite joining Strictly Come Dancing for the 20th series in 2022 – the same year as Vito Coppola and Carlos Gu - it wasn’t until the following year that Lauren received her first celebrity partner, presenter Krishnan Guru-Murphy. The pair were sadly eliminated in the eighth week after losing the dance off to Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington.
Who is Lauren Oakley partnered with on Strictly?
For the current series, Lauren didn’t receive a celebrity partner and was therefore able to step in for Amy Dowden and dance the Couple’s Choice routine with JB Gill over the weekend.
After receiving a near-perfect 39 for their routine, fans have expressed frustration that Lauren didn’t receive a celebrity partner this year.
Is Lauren Oakley dating anyone?
Lauren is married to Maximiliano Omar Montes de Oca. The pair tied the knot in September 2019 in a gorgeous ceremony in Colwall.
The professional dancer – who has toured with Giovanni Pernice and Anton du Beke – regularly takes to Instagram to gush about her partner. Most recently she congratulated him for completing a BSc in Environmental Management.
How old is Lauren Oakley?
Born in February 1991, Lauren – who hails from Birmingham - is 33 years old.
How tall is Lauren Oakley?
Lauren is thought to stand at around 5ft 6 aka 1.67m.
Does Lauren Oakley have Instagram?
She sure does, you can follow her @laurenmayoakley
Does Lauren Oakley have TikTok?
Correct again! You can follow her @laurenmayoakley
Daisy Hall is a News and Entertainment writer on Grazia, specialising in TV and film meaning that you can count on Daisy for the latest (and best) recommendations.