Amy Dowden to miss Saturday’s Strictly show

Amy Dowden, one of the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing, will not participate in Saturday’s show after falling ill during filming over the weekend. Fellow dancer Lauren Oakley is set to take her place, partnering with Dowden’s celebrity partner, JB Gill, for the upcoming performance.

A spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing stated, “Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better, and the Strictly family sends her love and well wishes. She is delighted that fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday’s show for JB Gill’s couple’s choice dance. We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week.”

This announcement comes after it was initially planned for Oakley to train with Gill only on Monday. However, the BBC confirmed that the two will now continue their partnership throughout the week, which includes their performance on Saturday evening and the results show airing on Sunday.

Dowden’s health issues arose when she collapsed backstage during the most recent main show, prompting the call for an ambulance to Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. The ambulance was called as a precaution, and Dowden was subsequently taken to the hospital. Fortunately, she is reported to be feeling much better.

This year marked Dowden’s return to the Strictly lineup after she had to withdraw from the 2023 series due to her diagnosis of breast cancer. At the age of 32, she discovered a lump in her breast just a day before her honeymoon, leading to a stage three breast cancer diagnosis in May 2023. In late 2023, she faced another cancer diagnosis, which required her to undergo chemotherapy.

In August 2024, Dowden returned to the hospital for further tests as doctors were concerned about abnormalities in her breast following a routine check-up. Fortunately, she was later given the all-clear, which brought her and her supporters a great deal of relief.

Alongside her battle with cancer, Dowden also has Crohn’s disease, a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the digestive system. She has openly discussed the impact of this condition on her overall health, emphasizing the resilience and determination she has shown throughout her challenges.

Lauren Oakley, who joined Strictly in 2022, will be taking on this significant role as Dowden recovers. Oakley previously partnered with Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the last series, where they finished in eighth place. With no celebrity partner this year, she has stepped into this unexpected role with Gill, a former member of the popular boyband JLS.

Gill and Dowden recently impressed the judges with a foxtrot, scoring 32 points for their performance to “Dancing In The Moonlight” by Toploader. Despite Dowden’s absence from the results show on Sunday night—due to her being hospitalized prior to filming—her commitment to the show has been unwavering.

As the Strictly family rallies around her, both fans and colleagues are looking forward to her eventual return to the dance floor. Dowden has been an inspirational figure for many, not just for her talent as a dancer but also for her courage in facing significant health challenges head-on.

The support for Dowden has been palpable, with messages flooding in from fans and fellow dancers alike. As she recuperates, her fans are eagerly awaiting updates and hoping for her swift return to the series. Her dedication to her craft and her resilience in the face of adversity have made her a beloved member of the Strictly team.

While this week’s performances will see Oakley stepping in, the hope remains that Dowden will be back to join Gill for future dances. As always, the spirit of camaraderie and support within the Strictly family shines through, and everyone is optimistic for Dowden’s recovery and return to the stage she loves.

In the meantime, fans will tune in to see how Oakley and Gill fare in their upcoming performances, wishing both dancers the best as they navigate this unexpected situation.