Strictly's Amy Dowden admits high intensity of the series contributed to collapse backstage

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has revealed that her collapse backstage was partly due to her finding the competition "very tough" due to high intensity of BBC show

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has opened up on her struggle with competing on the BBC show after battling cancer.

The professional dancer, 34, who is partnered with JLS singer JB Gill, confessed that she found the series "very, very tough". Her admission came just hours after she collapsed backstage during last weekend's show. Amy said the intensity of this year's show contributed to her falling ill backstage, as she found herself in the bottom two the week before.

Speaking to the Mail, the pro dancer said: "It's very very tough competition this year as you can see with that leaderboard. The reality is now that there are ten couples left and two of them will be in the dance-off each week. But, it's happened and we live to dance another day." She added: "The middle of the leaderboard is jam-packed and that's a very dangerous place to be."

During the first week of the show, both Amy and JB were at the top of the leaderboard but they soon slipped down to the middle section. However, they managed to climb their way back up the board to fifth place following their Halloween Special foxtrot.

But two hours later after their performance, Amy collapsed and was rushed to hospital. BBC bosses have replaced the star with Lauren Oakley who didn't have a celebrity partner this year. But bosses are hopeful Amy will return next week.

A spokesman for Strictly said: "Amy is doing much better. She is delighted that Lauren is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday's show for JB Gill's Couple's Choice dance. We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week."

And Amy's mother Gillian also told the publication that she has spoken to her daughter. She said: "We have talked today on the telephone and she is doing well." Amy has previously claimed that the show helped her to feel "herself again" after her battle with cancer.

She revealed: "What a difference a year can make. I look back and think, 'Gosh, this time last year I was having chemo... this time last year I was in hospital with a blood clot'. I never truly felt really like me since my cancer journey until I was back on Strictly and working with my lovely JB."

She added: "That's what I found hardest going into the dance-off - I'm not ready to have this taken away from me. I'm loving being back. I don't want it to stop. I'm not ready to finish my journey. I knew JB could get through the dance and could absolutely ace it."

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