Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden replaced by co-star as she recovers after collapse

Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden is being replaced in training by her co-star as she recovers after reportedly collapsing backstage at the weekend. The Welsh dancer sparked concern among fans after she was forced to miss the pre-recorded results show.

On Saturday, Amy and her celebrity partner JB Gill earned a score of 32 for their foxtrot to Toploader's Dancing In The Moonlight. However, shortly after their live performance, it's believed she began to feel unwell.

Her representatives confirmed an ambulance was summoned 'as a precaution' and that she was 'feeling much better'.

Yet, insiders suggest that the star, who has been fighting cancer for nearly two years and also suffers from Crohn's Disease, may have to withdraw from the series. If Amy is too ill to continue, another professional could step in temporarily and it looks like to be Lauren Oakley.

A source told The Sun on Monday: "Lauren will be stepping in today to train with JB. It's unclear when Amy will be back but everyone just wants her to rest and get better."

Should Amy need to leave the show to concentrate on her health, it's likely Lauren would take her place, reports the Mirror.

For this year's series, Lauren is the only female Strictly star without a partner. Lauren joined the BBC contest in 2022, alongside Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu and Michelle Tsiakkas.

She didn't have a partner for her first series and only participated in group routines.

In 2023, she was paired with news presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy and they finished in eighth place. After Amy's performance on Saturday, it was disclosed that an ambulance was called when she started feeling unwell.

A spokesperson for Amy Dowden disclosed: "Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution. She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern. We request Amy's privacy in matters of health is kindly respected."

The East of England Ambulance Service also commented: "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."

While Amy could not be present at the results show, her dance partner JB spoke on her behalf. When asked by Claudia Winkleman how delighted, representing both of them, he felt about evading the bottom two, JB responded: "Honestly, I'm beside myself and Amy of course is gonna be so happy that we're through to icons week. It's an amazing feeling."

JB also shared that they are set to perform a medley for the upcoming couple's choice week.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer