Strictly's biggest stories of the week from Amy Dowden exit to axed pro rumours

It's been a sad week at Strictly Come Dancing as well-loved pro dancer Amy Dowden has been forced to quit the competition.

Dowden had made an emotional comeback this year after time off having treatment for breast cancer, but has now had to drop out over a foot injury and admitted she was "heartbroken" to leave.

In the wake of her exit, a list of other pro dancers were rumoured to be for the chop - but how many of them are true?

We also take a look at which couples are in the danger zone for the dance off this weekend. These are the biggest stories from the week at Strictly Come Dancing.

Read more:

• Strictly's JB Gill says partner swap is 'so strange' after Amy Dowden injury

• What we know as 'heartbroken' Amy Dowden quits Strictly 2024

• Who is Lauren Oakley? Strictly dancer replaces injured Amy Dowden

💔 Amy Dowden's 'heartbroken' exit

It was the news that no Strictly fan wanted to hear - Amy Dowden confirmed her exit from the series this week after missing last Saturday's show with a foot injury.

Dowden, who had only just returned after her breast cancer treatment, told her fans: "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."

JB Gill is now being partnered by stand-in Lauren Oakley, while Dowden has shared her devastation that she will miss this Saturday's show as it marks a year since she ended chemotherapy.

Read more at HuffPost: 'My Heart Is Breaking': Strictly Pro Amy Dowden Confirms She's Been Forced To Withdraw From The Contest

🥳 Johannes Radebe denies Strictly quit rumours

Pro dancer Johannes Radebe unexpectedly found himself at the centre of exit rumours this week when it was reported that he could be quitting Strictly to concentrate on his many projects away from the BBC ballroom.

But the dancer, who is partnering Montell Douglas this year, called the claims "a lie" and posted on social media: "I’m not going nowhere! The story isn’t true – I love @bbcstrictly and I want to do this beautiful show for as long as they want me – and the body will allow. I have Kinky Boots and other work in the pipeline yes but nothing will take me away."

However, Radebe wasn't the only star reported to be on his way out...

Read more at The Independent: Strictly star Johannes Radebe denies rumours he is leaving dancing show

🧐 Pro cast rumours - exits and rifts

The pro cast may have been left quaking in their dance shoes this week after reports that five of them were on the chopping block in a Strictly cast shake-up.

According to The Sun, Neil Jones, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Nadiya Bychkova and Gorka Marquez were all facing the axe so that the cast could have a refresh although the BBC has given no indication that any of the stars are on their way out.

Meanwhile, there were further reports of potential awkwardness as previous best friends Nancy Xu and Carlos Gu unfollowed each other on Instagram, sparking speculation about a rift.

Read more at The London Standard: Strictly Come Dancing faces major shake-up as five fan-favourite dancers face the 'axe'

🙉 Brendan Cole slams the Strictly Spoiler

Former Strictly pro Brendan Cole still has plenty to say about his old job - and this week, he made his feelings clear on the infamous Strictly Spoiler.

The anonymous insider has been sharing the results of the dance off for years, as it is pre-recorded at the end of Saturday's live show, but Cole told The London Standard that he wanted to be able to find out who was going home on Sunday when it aired.

He said: "I like watching the show Sunday night and not knowing who goes out. A lot goes into the results show, [such as] pre-records for the group numbers. It would just be too much strain on the show, which is why I guess they don't do it."

Read more at The London Standard: Brendan Cole hits out at Strictly Spoiler saying it ruins enjoyment of show

❗Who's in the Strictly danger zone this week?

It's the week before Strictly's annual visit to Blackpool's Tower Ballroom, so of course there's even more at stake for the remaining couples than usual this weekend.

Keen Strictly viewers will not be surprised to find that Shayne Ward looks to be in danger of finding himself in the dance off once again, with Wynne Evans also tipped for a possible pre-Blackpool exit.

According to Grosvenor Sport, these are the odds for the celebrities heading home this weekend:

• Shayne Ward – 10/11

• Wynne Evans – 7/4

• JB Gill – 4/1

• Pete Wicks – 8/1

• Jamie Borthwick – 10/1

• Montell Douglas – 10/1

• Tasha Ghouri – 80/1

• Chris McCausland – 100/1

• Sarah Hadland – 100/1

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One at 6.35pm on Saturday.