Amy Dowden 'uncontactable' after pulling out of Strictly as famous pal says 'I tried reaching out'

Amy Dowden has become "uncontactable" after her departure from this year's Strictly Come Dancing, says former contestant Sara Davies.

The Dragon's Den star, aged 40, who took part in the 2021 competition, disclosed on Tuesday's episode of Loose Women that the Welsh dancer is now "unreachable". This follows Amy's withdrawal from the BBC One show due to an injury.

Just over a week ago, the professional dancer was taken to hospital after collapsing backstage post-live show. Last weekend saw Amy replaced by Lauren Oakley, who partnered with celebrity JB Gill.

In a heartfelt statement, Amy later confirmed that a foot injury was the cause of her hospital visit, leading her to step down from the remainder of the series to focus on her recovery. During Tuesday's airing of the ITV daytime programme, Sara confessed she had messaged Amy but received no response.

She told the panel: "I tried reaching out to her and I know, from experience, when these things happen - and she's had a lot of these things happen, God love her - she just goes into herself. I just know that she'll be a heap on the couch."

Sara continued: "The thing with Amy is Strictly is her life. It's not a job to her. It's her passion, dancing is her life. And she lives for that time on Strictly and taking a celebrity through that journey. And to have it pulled away from her was devastating for last year. And I remember having to sit her down as that friend that kind of has to give you the tough love and say, 'Amy, I know it's your life, but it's not going anywhere. It'll be there next year. You need to put your health first. You need to go through the chemo. You need to get better. And then you can go and give Strictly your all,'" reports the Mirror.

Sara disclosed that Amy was ready to temporarily step away from the limelight to concentrate on her health, with aspirations to return with renewed vigour next year. "I've got her teed up feeling, right, 'I can do this. I'm just going to give it my all, getting better this year because next year I can do Strictly.' And then there she was. And you see her every week. Having the time of her life. She leaves her heart on that dance floor. And then a foot injury," Sara remarked.

The 34-year-old professional dancer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, had to pause her appearances on the show to undergo treatment. Her comeback to the stage this year, performing with ex-JLS member JB, was met with much anticipation, and many expected her to reach the final.

However, due to a recent medical issue, she has confirmed her exit from the competition.

In an emotional statement released on Monday, Amy expressed her sorrow: "My heart is breaking right now. The past few months I finally felt like me again. Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again," Amy shared.

"My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the Strictly dance floor. It's been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 to. My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know only too well 'this too shall pass' and I'll be soon better and back dancing... I'm sure at some point we will dance again JB."

Loose Women is on ITV1 weekdays at 12.30pm and on ITVX