Amy Dowden BBC Strictly Come Dancing update as 'replacement' announced
Amy Dowden has been forced to bow out of BBC Strictly Come Dancing for a week after she fell ill backstage. The 34-year-old was taken to hospital in an ambulance following the health scare on Saturday, October 26.
The Welsh pro was said to be “doing much better” but will be unable to return to rehearsals this week. Amy has Crohn's Disease and has been battling cancer for almost 18 months and had previously expressed her hopes at winning the glitterball trophy.
She is reportedly planning on returning to the show the following week. In the meantime, partner JB Gill, 37, will perform with Lauren Oakley during rehearsals.
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A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson told The Sun: "Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better and the Strictly family send her love and wish her well. She is delighted that fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, 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.” It's understood Amy started to feel ill minutes after she and JB received a 32 out of 40 score from the judges at 7.25pm on Saturday.
Amy cheered and jumped up and down when Motsi gave them a 9, and screamed when she got an 8 from Anton. Amy was still seen standing and smiling with JB in the final line-up at around 8.10pm.
By 9pm, an ambulance had been called and at 9.50pm the fire service were also contacted to assist. A spokesperson the East of England Ambulance Service said: "We were called just after 9pm on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.
"An ambulance was dispatched to the scene and one patient, an adult female, was taken to Barnet Hospital for further care."