BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Dianne Buswell says 'we mustn't forget' as she declares love for co-star

Dianne Buswell has said that Amy Dowden's achievements following her battle with cancer 'mustn't be forgotten' as she showed her support after her Strictly Come Dancing exit was confirmed.

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

Lauren Oakley, who does not have a celebrity pairing on this year's series of the BBC One dance competition, instead stepped in and she rehearsed with JB before joining him to perform the live couple's choice routine to a Bruno Mars medley during Strictly's first-ever 'Icons Week', which saw the pair bag JB's first 10s of the series, resulting in a near-perfect score of 39 out of a possible 40 points.

But Amy's future in the hit dance show this year was confirmed during Monday night's (November 4) edition of Strictly spin-off It Takes Two. Host Fleur East read out a statement from a Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson which 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 spokesperson added: "The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes."

Following the news, Amy penned her own statement in which she said her "heart was breaking" at having to withdraw from the competition before saying she would be JB and Lauren's "biggest cheerleader" during the rest of their time in Strictly's 20th-anniversary series.

Amy's Strictly co-stars have since been flooding her with support, including Dianne, who shared a number of behind-the-scenes pictures to her Instagram Story from the recording of the pro dance which was dedicated to Amy's much-welcomed return to the hit dance show.

"@amy_dowden My beautiful friend. I am so sorry and heartbroken for you. But we mustn't forget how myuch you have achieved this series already. Love you so much," she wrote alongside a beaming picture of Amy alongside an equally smiley Aljaz Skorjanec who partnered her in her comeback routine.

"I was soa poud when you danced your number I took so many pictures @amy_dowden," Dianne continued alongside more pictures before repeatedly calling Amy "stunning" as she took various pictrues of her dance moves.