BBC Strictly Come Dancing's JB Gill speaks out on Amy Dowden's absence after she 'collapsed' backstage
(Image: BBC)

BBC Strictly Come Dancing's JB Gill speaks out on Amy Dowden's absence after she 'collapsed' backstage

27 Oct 2024, 21:05 by Shawna Healey · Manchester Evening News

Strictly Come Dancing contestant JB Gill has spoken out on his absent dance partner, Amy Dowden, after it was revealed that she collapsed backstage on yesterday's main show.

JB and Amy took to the floor to perform a foxtrot to Dancing In the Moonlight by Toploader as part of Halloween week on the hit BBC show. Judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke awarded the pair a respectable cumulative score of 32 out of 40.

But minutes after their performance, Amy is said to have 'fallen ill'. It was confirmed that an ambulance was called as a "precaution" but she is since "feeling much better", the Mirror reports.

Her dance partner JB - best known for having been a member of the group JLS - spoke about Amy, who was absent from the result's show, after it was revealed that they had avoided this week's dance off.

Asked by host Claudia Winkleman how happy, on behalf of them both, he was feeling about not being in the bottom two, JB said: "Honestly, I'm beside myself and Amy of course is gonna be so happy that we're through to icons week. It's an amazing feeling." JB went on to reveal that he'll be performing a medley next week as a couple's choice, including Bruno Mars' song Treasure.

It was announced on Sunday morning, ahead of this week's results show airing, that Amy had been feeling "unwell" and received medical attention on Saturday.

It was announced this weekend that Amy Dowden was unwell backstage at Strictly Come Dancing after her latest routine with JB Gill on Saturday
(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)

A spokesperson for her shared: "Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution. 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."

Additionally, as previously reported, an East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson previously said: "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."

Amy ended up being absent from Sunday night's results show due to the experience. Strictly host Tess Daly confirmed her absence early on in the episode, telling viewers: "Before we get started, Amy is unable to be with us for tonight's show."

A BBC spokesperson told us: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, Amy Dowden MBE was unable to be in tonight’s results show." And a source went on to insist to the Mirror that Amy's wellbeing was "number one priority" along with the other contestants. And referring to the competition itself, the source added: "The outcome of the results show has not been compromised by this unforeseen matter and the show has protocols in place for circumstances such as these."

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