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Strictly’s Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse

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Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse

As I read through this article, my heart goes out to Amy and her journey. Having faced my own health challenges, I can only imagine the courage it takes to face such adversities, especially for someone as vibrant and talented as her.

Strictly’s Amy Dowden has given fans an update following her health scare last week.

On Friday, the 34-year-old dance professional, who has overcome breast cancer and manages Crohn’s disease, was seen on the BBC spin-off program, dancing alongside her famous partner JB Gill and Lauren Oakley.

I’m absolutely heartbroken! It seems like my beloved Amy is taking a break this coming Saturday, and the fantastic Lauren is filling in for her to dance with the amazing JLS star. I can hardly contain my excitement to see their performance together!

The decision was made after Amy was taken to hospital after collapsing backstage on Saturday.

As Amy was welcomed onto the program, host Janette Manrara began by asking: “Let’s get started with you, Amy. How are you today?

The skilled dancer responded affirmatively: “Indeed, I’m greatly improved now. I want to express my gratitude to everyone for their kindness and encouragement, as well as to my Strictly comrades.

Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse

Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse

Toward the end of the program, she expressed her feelings by saying, “I am incredibly proud and thankful towards Lauren. They have put in so much effort, and JB has been exceptionally supportive throughout.

‘He’s just knuckled down and the pair of them have messaged me all week.’

Amy seemed to be in high spirits and looked glamorous in a glitzy blue two-piece suit. 

Lauren shared that they all share a WhatsApp group, and she along with JB frequently send videos to Amy to ensure she’s kept updated.

Amy added her thoughts as follows: ‘I named our group “Team” with a star beside it. We’ve been exchanging daily video calls and messages.’

On Saturdays during Icons Week, JB and Lauren plan to perform a synchronized Hip Hop dance routine that they’ve chosen themselves, set to a mix of Bruno Mars songs.

“The dance was enjoyable because it was a couple’s decision, and we both started learning it on Monday under the guidance of an external choreographer, Lizzie Gough. This meant we had equal knowledge going into it.

It was enjoyable to learn the dance routine side by side, as we each made progress at our own pace. It’s great to be on this journey with JB, who is truly a remarkable individual. Since it’s Hip Hop, I’ve been trying to emulate the style and swagger that comes with it.

Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse
Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse

JB admitted that training with Lauren instead of Amy was ‘surreal’ as he’s ‘very much used to working with Amy’.

He remarked: “Lauren is truly delightful, simply amazing, and a fantastic dancer. I’ve enjoyed watching her perform in the group routines during the series thus far.

In my view, having Lizzie join our team and her unique dancing style made things easier for us. It seemed to alleviate the pressure on Lauren, particularly regarding the performance of the dance.

Instead of clinging onto anything specific, we chose to immerse ourselves fully in the present, appreciating the melodies around us, and that’s where true experience lies.

Enthusiasts flocked to social media platforms, expressing their joy at Amy’s return to the screen, posting on X with the hashtags ‘#Strictly’ and ‘#ittakestwo’: “Thrilled to see Amy in such good shape!

‘Glad to see Amy doing well. She will be missed this weekend #strictly #ittakestwo’

‘Such a nice surprise to see Amy on the #ItTakesTwo sofa with JB and Lauren!’

@dowden_amy, it was such a delightful surprise to see you on #ItTakesTwo tonight! I hope everything is going splendidly for you. Keep dancing with grace and passion, just as you do on #Strictly!

Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse
Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse
Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse
Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse

Following JB’s disclosure, I find myself embarking on a journey to acclimate myself to a fresh approach in our dance routines with my new partner, Lauren.

He mentioned that having a new partner for his latest dance routine is somewhat simpler due to the fact that they will perform a Couple’s Choice, which means fewer parts of the routine require them to be in a dance hold together.

During Scott Mills’ show on BBC Radio 2, OJ Borg mentioned: ‘Everyone is unique, and this is particularly true when working in pairs. For instance, Amy is slightly shorter than Lauren, but there are various minor differences that make each individual unique.’

For someone like me, who isn’t a professional dancer, the challenge lies in adapting my style to match their way of dancing.

This week is exciting for me since I’ll be performing my Couples Choice dance, which means fewer Ballroom and Latin partner work, lifts, and such. Instead, it seems more like an individual side-by-side performance, as this weekend on the show is Icons Week, giving us an opportunity to express ourselves collectively.

Essentially, I believe this new method will help me navigate effectively the alterations we’ve experienced over the past week.

Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse

Additionally, JB disclosed that his former dance partner Amy is currently focusing on recovery, as she won’t be able to participate in the upcoming live show due to a collapse she experienced backstage during the last weekend’s performance.

He continued: ‘We’ve been able to build an incredible rapport over the last six or 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. 

It’s been quite strange without her at rehearsals this week, but on the bright side, it seems she’s using this time to recuperate and get well. Naturally, we’re sending our very best wishes for her swift recovery.

In the upcoming Icons Week, JB and Lauren will dance together for the first time live, as the professional star replaced Amy following her unexpected hospitalization. This occurred after the Welsh dancer was rushed to the hospital on a Saturday night following filming.

9:00 PM on Saturday night, there was a medical emergency at the set of the show in Hertfordshire, leading to paramedics being summoned.

Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse
Strictly's Amy Dowden gives a health update as she makes her TV return alongside JB Gill after being hospitalised following backstage collapse

Just now, I found myself gracefully gliding across the dance floor, executing the Foxtrot in sync with my idol, the talented JB Gill from JLS, as the timeless melody of Dancing In The Moonlight by Toploader filled the air.

After receiving a total score of 32 from judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, the duo moved up to fifth place on the Strictly leaderboard.

According to a representative from Dowden, it was mentioned that Amy wasn’t feeling well, so they decided to summon an ambulance just to be on the safe side.

She’s greatly improved now, and she wishes to express her gratitude to the entire Strictly community for their affectionate care.

They added: ‘We request Amy’s privacy in matters of health is kindly respected.’

In 2023, Amy’s life took a devastating turn when she received a cancer diagnosis just one day after returning from her honeymoon with her husband, professional dancer Ben Jones.

Initially, she had hoped that surgery might offer a cure, but two months on, in June, the doctors discovered yet another form of cancer instead.

During the most challenging year she ever experienced, this dedicated dancer went through a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatments, and narrowly survived a life-threatening bout with sepsis.

Amy, who also battles Crohn’s disease, confirmed she was cancer-free in February.

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2024-11-01 22:50

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