Amy Dowden breaks silence and says her 'heart is breaking' as BBC Strictly Come Dancing return comes to brutal end

Amy Dowden has said her 'heart is breaking' as she's been forced to leave the current series of Strictly Come Dancing. The dancer made a triumphant return to the dance show earlier this year after being forced to miss the 2023 series while undergoing cancer treatment.

But Amy was forced to miss the latest live show with celebrity dance partner JB Gill after "falling ill" the previous weekend. As the 34-year-old then wasn't able to rehearse with JB last week, she therefore didn't perform during the latest live show on Saturday night (November 2).

Her fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley, who does not have a celebrity pairing on this year's series of the BBC One dance competition, instead stepped in and went on to perform JB's couple's choice routine to a Bruno Mars medley during Strictly's first-ever 'Icons Week' to a score of 39 out of a possible 40.

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But it's now been confirmed that Lauren will continue in the competition with JB as Amy pulls out to focus on her recovery from a foot injury.

The news was announced during Monday night's (November 4) edition of Strictly spin-off It Takes Two. Taking to Instagram with a statement, Amy said: "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. 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. With my incredible team we got there. Something I wanted to do for myself and my loved ones."

The 34-year-old went on to describe JB as a "talented, kind, gentle soul" with whom she was developing a "blossoming friendship". To her partner, Amy said: "JB, thank you for being the perfect partner back. We topped the leader board week one and continued to work so hard and thank you for being so passionate about understanding the ballroom and latin fundamentals..."

She rounded off by saying: "I'm so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short. My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know all too well 'this too shall pass' and I'll be soon better and back dancing. Something I've had to get used to in my life. I'm sure at some point we'll dance again JB. To all the fans, to my loved ones, my Strictly family thank you."

A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson 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 spokesperson added: "The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes."