Amy Dowden will miss the BBC show with Strictly Come Dancing rushing to replace her with Lauren Oakley following her backstage collapse last Saturday.

BBC Strictly Come Dancing star pulls out of show and partner says 'it's surreal'

31 Oct 2024, 18:32 by James Rodger, https://www.facebook.com/jamesrodgerjournalist · Birmingham Live

JB Gill has issued a "surreal" update after his BBC Strictly Come Dancing partner pulls out of this weekend's show. Amy Dowden will miss the BBC show with Strictly Come Dancing rushing to replace her with Lauren Oakley following her backstage collapse last Saturday.

In an update ahead of dancing with new partner Lauren, JLS star JB said: "We’ve been able to build an incredible rapport over the last six / seven weeks and it’s been great going to the training room with her and working on the new routine and, you know, for me, learning different styles - whether it’s a Ballroom style or new Latin style - and then watching that process sort of, as it builds, into the show that we put on, on the Saturday night.

"So, to not have her in rehearsals this week has been a bit surreal. But you know, the best thing […] is that she’s taken some time to get better. We’re obviously wishing her all the best as she recovers.” He said: "Well, of course everybody’s different and especially when you’re doing partner work.

"Amy’s slightly shorter than Lauren, you know, there are little sort of bits and pieces that are different for each of them. So for me coming into that and not, obviously, being a professional, it’s just about having to adapt to how they dance."

"The good thing about this week is that I’m doing my couples choice, so it’s not so much Ballroom hold or Latin partner work and lifts and so on. It’s gonna be a bit more, I guess, individual side by side, because it’s icons week this weekend on the show and we’re gonna have a chance to express ourselves together.

"So actually, I feel like it’s gonna be a good way for me to approach obviously the changes that we’ve had this week.” Replying to Strictly's statement after Amy's absence was confirmed, a fan typed: "Brilliant news that Amy will take it easy for a while, wishing her well.Its so good knowing what's happening rather than being left in limbo."

A second said: "Wishing her well. What a shame it happens to land on their couples choice, I’m sure they would have loved to do that together." And another posted: "I'm really glad she's feeling better but as I said in another thread I think she should let Lauren continue as JB's partner for the rest of his run."