BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden suffering 'terribly bad luck' as injury details emerge

Amy Dowden is said to be suffering a case of 'terribly bad luck' as details about her injury have been shared. The Strictly Come Dancing star has been forced to pull out of the 2024 series due to a problem with her foot.

Welsh dancer Amy made a triumphant return to the ballroom back in September after being forced to miss out on competing in the 2023 series due to undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

She was going from strength to strength in the 2024 run of the BBC One dance contest alongside her celebrity dance partner, JLS star JB Gill, until she recently "fell ill" and was forced to miss a week in rehearsals and therefore the latest live show on Saturday night (November 2).

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's JB Gill breaks silence on 'heartbreaking' Amy Dowden exit

However, it's since been confirmed that she won't return to the competition and JB will carry on the remainder of his time on the hit dance show with Lauren Oakley, who replaced her over the weekend during the first-ever 'Icons Week'.

Amy said her 'heart was breaking' as she shared the news and it's now been revealed she is desperate to return to the show before the end of the series in December.

Her spokesperson has said that while Amy was desperately upset to have to pull out of the hit show because of her foot, she was expected to make a full recovery within the next few weeks.

"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," they told the Mirror. "She did it during training, it was one of those things, nobody's fault, but it got worse over the next few days."

She suffered the injury in the days ahead of the Halloween show on October 26. Now, doctors have told her to rest indefinitely in order to allow the injury to recover, meaning her partner JB Gill will dance with Lauren Oakley for the rest of the series. Her spokesperson added: "With this injury, there is no outward sign, she is ok to walk around, but she can't wear heels."

Amy has spoken of her heartache at having to pull out. She said in an Instagram statement: "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 to.

"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 I'll be soon better and back dancing. Something I'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 said: "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."