BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden reveals desperate wish after being forced to quit show
by Sam Cooper, Nicola Methven · NottinghamshireLiveProfessional dancer Amy Dowden is eager to get back on Strictly Come Dancing before the season wraps up. Her spokesperson said that while Amy was desperately upset to have to pull out of the show because of a foot injury, she was expected to make a full recovery within the next few weeks.
They said: "Amy is hoping to be able to dance again on Strictly before the end of the series. It is a different injury to the one she had a year ago. It's the same foot but a different bone. It's just terribly bad luck."
"She did it during training, it was one of those things, nobody's fault, but it got worse over the next few days."
Despite her injury, viewers saw Amy supporting JB Gill in the studio on Saturday.
The spokesperson continued: "With this injury, there is no outward sign, she is okay to walk around, but she can't wear heels."
After sustaining a foot injury on October 26, doctors have advised her to rest indefinitely, which means her dance partner JB Gill will continue with stand-in dancer Lauren Oakley for the remainder of the series. Amy has recently expressed her sadness about having to leave the show, reports the Mirror.
She expressed: "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 too.
"Which with my incredible team we got there. Something I wanted to do for myself and loved ones. There was no feeling like it dancing again in the ballroom with my strictly family. Then I was partnered with the talented ,kind, gentle soul JB. Every day our training room was chilled, hardworking and full of big smiles enjoying what we was creating together with a blossoming friendship. 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. For me that rumba will always be one of my favs . 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 only too well 'this too shall pass' and l'll be soon better and back dancing. Something l've had to get used to in my life. I'm sure at some point we will dance again JB. To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you. I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor. I'll forever be your biggest cheerleader."
A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson expressed: "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 health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes."
On October 26, Amy required medical attention after performing in the Halloween special with JB, leading presenter Tess Day to announce that Amy would not appear on the Sunday results show due to illness. It was later revealed that Lauren, who did not have a celebrity partner this year, would stand in for her with JB for just one week.
On Saturday, she was tearful as the pair danced the Couple's Choice routine that she had choreographed - and the JLS singer received his first tens of the series.
On the much-anticipated icons week, JB and his partner Lauren, age 33, performed an electrifying medley of Bruno Mars classics. Following their stunning routine, Amy Dowden was visibly moved, finding it hard to contain her emotions as the pair scored an impressive 39 points.
In a heartwarming moment, she expressed her deep gratitude towards Lauren for stepping in and candidly shared with JB: "I wish I was there with you, you were amazing! " Amidst the highs and lows of her career, Amy has faced more than her fair share of health challenges, beginning with a lifelong battle with Crohn's disease and then a shock breast cancer diagnosis at just 32, which came just before her planned honeymoon. Her journey through cancer treatment spanned throughout 2023, but misfortune struck again with a broken foot in November.
Determinedly, Amy has spoken about how her aim to return to Strictly Come Dancing significantly bolstered her spirit during her fight with breast cancer. Fans were ecstatic to see her back on the show, extending overwhelming support when she couldn't participate on Saturday's live show.
Social media buzzed with love for Amy; one fan stated, "I adore Amy she deserves the world and more," while another emotionally echoed: "Seeing Amy cry has made me cry. She should've been on that dance floor."