Amy Dowden's Strictly Come Dancing future confirmed as co-star admits 'it's really sad'

Strictly Come Dancing professional Neil Jones has provided an uplifting update on Amy Dowden and her determination to make a return to the dance floor.

During a conversation with Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton on BBC's Morning Live, Neil offered reassurance, saying: "It is one of those things that is really sad.

"I heard it on the way as I was coming up, and it's always a hard thing because as a dancer, especially when you have got a partner, you want to go all the way to the end... and when you can't do that it is very difficult so I do really feel for Amy."

Neil continued with optimism about Amy's resilience: "But, do you know what? Amy is a trooper, I keep saying it. She will come back stronger and better, so all of us wishing her all the best health, she will be back."

Gethin further commented, "You know she will still be involved as well...," to which Neil confirmed by noting, "She apologised to us last week that she wasn't there."

In light of her absence, the BBC issued a formal statement on their Instagram account stating: "Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year," reports the Mirror.

Detailing Amy's situation, the statement explained: "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."

Following the BBC announcement, Amy addressed her fans directly via social media, sharing her emotional state and expressing, "my heart is breaking right now".

She said: "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.

"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 were creating together with a blossoming friendship."

The professional dancer opened up about her partnership with JB and their accomplishments: "JB, thank you for being the perfect partner back. We topped the leaderboard in week one and continued to work so hard. Thank you for being so passionate about understanding the ballroom and Latin fundamentals. For me, that rumba will always be one of my favorites. I'm so sad, so upset, and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short."

Remarking on her exit from the competition, Amy affirmed, despite the challenges, her resolve to return to dance and explained that she had to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury.

"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," she added.

Morning Live airs weekdays at 9.30am on BBC One.