Strictly's JB Gill looks in good spirits - as doubts remain over Amy Dowden's return

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has been knocked out of the competition by illness but hopes to return to rejoin her celebrity partner JB Gill to continue their attempt to win the Glitterball Trophy

JB Gill looked in good spirits as his journey on Strictly Come Dancing continues - while his dance partner's future on the show remains unconfirmed.

The 37-year-old JLS star is one of the celebrities taking part in the 2024 season of the BBC's long-running dance show. He was paired with 34-year-old Welsh dancer Amy Dowden - who made her return to the show this year after missing the 2023 contest due to a cancer battle.

But fans have been left concerned for Amy after she reportedly collapsed backstage on the show last month and needed to be rushed to hospital. While she is said to be recovering from her mystery illeness, she has been replaced on Strictly by 33-year-old dancer Lauren Oakley who helped JB sail through the Icons week over the weekend to make it to the next stage of the show.

On Monday, fresh from his latest Strictly triumph, JB looked in good spirits while he visited the BBC building in central London. Wearing a maroon shirt, cream trousers, and a wax jacket, the singer flashed a winning smile at photographers while he went about his morning.

After being forced to dance with a new partner at the weekend, JB paid tribute to his original professional companion, declaring: "For you, Amy," after he wowed judges with his couple's choice dance. Amy herself thanked Lauren for filling in her shoes at the last moment, saying: "I am so grateful to you Lauren. Thank you Lauren, thank you J, you too are just amazing. I just wish I was there with you." It remains unclear if Amy will recover in time to dance again this weekend or if Lauren will continue to take her place while she recovers.

After performing on Saturday night, JB posted a message about his dance with Lauren on Instagram, sharing a snap of him with the professional on the dancefloor. He typed: "Put yo, pinky, fingers, to the, moooooon... Wow! What a weekend.

"I just want to say thank you to @lizzie.gough & @mrballchange for making my couples choice dance so special. You guys allowed @laurenmayoakley and I to shine brightly for @amy_dowden and do everyone proud. To my family and friends and EVERYONE supporting us and voting, you guys are the best and I’m SO HAPPY to continue this amazing journey, whatever challenges it throws at me!"

He added: "Still on cloud 9 and grateful to be through to another week." Amy herself has explained that JB has been helping her recover from her illness. Appearing on Strictly companion show, It Takes Two, she told host Janette Manrara: "JB has been so supportive of me. He has knuckled down and the pair of them have been messaging all week saying ‘we just want to make you proud'."

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