Amy Dowden’s poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition

Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition

As I delve into the heartwarming narrative of these resilient individuals, I am struck by the profound impact of empathy and camaraderie, even amidst the high-pressure world of Strictly Come Dancing.


Sam Quek shared that Amy Dowden posted a heartwarming message full of optimism just before she had to withdraw from the contest.

A 34-year-old dance professional, who is known to be in remission from breast cancer and also manages Crohn’s disease, announced on Monday that she won’t be coming back, owing to a ‘foot ailment’ following an incident where she fainted behind the stage last week.

In a lengthy statement she said her ‘heart was broken’ and revealed the show had helped ‘feel like herself again’ following chemotherapy treatment as she paid tribute to ‘perfect partner’ JB Gill.

Now, Sam, aged 36, revealed that just before one of her final shows alongside JB, 37, Amy delivered some truly inspiring remarks to the crowd.

On Saturday evening, the Strictly contestant paired with Nikita Kuzmin was the most recent famous figure to be removed from the competition. This decision was made after an unexpected dance-off between her and Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe.

Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition

Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition

Following the decision of all judges to preserve Montell, it was Sam who bid farewell and expressed her gratitude on Instagram, referring to her time with Nikita and the Strictly crew as an “incredible journey” or “wonderful dream.

In her writing, she expressed: ‘Initially, I’d like to extend my gratitude to my teammate, Nikita. As the weeks passed, I grew to understand you on a more profound level. If someone were to meet you who doesn’t know you yet, I would describe you as having a genuinely kind heart. To me, that is undoubtedly your most admirable trait.’

She noted: ‘Your stunning choreography deserved far more than what I could provide at the time, yet you never faulted me, made me feel accountable, or did anything but encourage me and say we’d try again, expressing pride in my performance. You were the epitome of a team player.’

However, Sam candidly acknowledged that the show turned out to be more challenging than she anticipated. Her feet were sore and blistered, and being separated from her two kids was tough. Additionally, receiving lower scores not only diminished her motivation but also shattered her confidence.

She mentioned that during the day, she would dance so much her feet would become raw, and she’d follow the same weekly routine until her legs were too weak to support her. At night, she would immerse herself in ice, massage her muscles, and prepare for the next day by continuously reviewing her routine.

In terms of mental exertion, it was particularly challenging. My heart constantly yearned for my two-year-old and three-year-old. Frequently, I found myself away for ten consecutive days at a hotel, and their pleas for me to “come home now” were difficult to bear.

However, the real exhaustion came from putting in all my effort, giving up essentials, and finding myself near the end of the rankings. This erodes my motivation and undermines my confidence, yet my family and Nikita have consistently encouraged me to keep going.

However, the athlete said it was Amy who had given her the inspiration to keep going, as she revealed the dancer’s poignant words when she and JB ended up in dance off two weeks ago.
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition

Sam recalled: ‘In closing, I want to share with you a little off camera moment that helped put everything into perspective for me, which happened a couple of weeks ago….

When JB and Amy ended up among the bottom two contestants, the entire audience was taken aback. As they stepped onto the floor for their dance-off, they didn’t receive the customary cheer and encouragement from the crowd; instead, there was a palpable tension, surprise, and awkwardness in the studio due to the unexpected turn of events.

Amy facing the crowd, replied casually, “Alright everyone, remember this is just a dance competition – nothing like a year of chemotherapy!

‘A sobering reminder that there are bigger and more important things going on around the world then Strictly Come Dancing… amongst the glitz, glamour, twirls and lifts you can sometimes forget that.’

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I couldn’t help but express my admiration when I read Sam’s heartfelt post. I exclaimed, “What a remarkable individual and an exceptional dancer! I found their partnership truly captivating.

On a Monday, the renowned Welsh figure expressed her sorrow on her personal Instagram about having to withdraw from the contest. She lamented that her comeback after battling cancer was abruptly ended prematurely.

Currently, my heart is heavy. Over the past few months, I had regained a sense of myself, and cancer wasn’t the first thought that greeted me each morning.

The choreography, music selections, sequence of dances, and areas for improvement were all factors that required our attention. Hearing those words ‘you have cancer’ ignited a desire within me to return to the Strictly dance floor. This journey back has been an arduous one that I dedicated 2024 years to overcoming.

Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition

Together with an exceptional group, we successfully reached our goal. It was a personal ambition, something I sought not just for myself but also for those dear to me. There’s simply no comparison to the joy of rekindling the rhythm on the dance floor in the ballroom, once more reunited with my Strictly companions.

After that, I teamed up with the skilled, compassionate, and soft-spoken individual named JB. Our daily training sessions were relaxed, productive, and brimming with large smiles as we joyfully crafted our work together, fostering a flourishing friendship in the process.

She went on to say: “JB, I want to express my gratitude for being an exceptional partner. We took the lead in the first week and have been working tirelessly since then. Thank you for your unwavering enthusiasm as we delve into the essentials of ballroom and latin dance.

As a devoted enthusiast, I can’t help but express my deep affection for that Rumba – it will forever hold a special place in my heart. Alas, I find myself drenched in melancholy and dismay, asking the universe questions I may not wish to hear the answers to: Why me? Why now, when our incredible journey was just getting started?

I’m deeply disappointed to withdraw from the competition because of a foot injury, but I trust that this temporary setback will pass and I’ll be back on the dance floor soon. This is something I’ve faced before in life, and I know we’ll dance again, JB. To my fans, loved ones, and Strictly family, thank you for your support during this challenging time.

Prior to stating that she believed Lauren Oakley, JB’s new partner, would excel on the dance floor and declared herself as their most enthusiastic supporter.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I was deeply saddened to hear about Amy Dowden’s departure from Strictly Come Dancing. Although her time on the show will be missed, her impact and memories will forever remain etched in its history. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for being such an exceptional teacher. The Gill family sends our love and appreciation.

“Things will get better. We’re in this together, my friend. I care about you deeply. You laid the foundation, I’ll build upon it as we move forward, hoping to make you feel proud of our partnership XXX”.

Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition

On the most recent episode of “It Takes Two,” it was announced that Amy won’t be back for the remainder of the season due to her ongoing recovery from a foot injury.

Unfortunately, Amy Dowden MBE won’t be continuing in this year’s competition on Strictly Come Dancing.

While Amy is concentrating on her healing process after a foot injury, professional dancer Lauren Oakley will take over as JB’s dance partner temporarily.

It’s crucial that the health and happiness of everyone participating in Strictly Come Dancing is our top concern. We, as the Strictly family, extend our affection and best wishes to Amy.

Last May, at the age of 32, Amy received devastating news – she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

During the shooting of the BBC series “Dare To Dance”, she expressed that something seemed amiss. A day prior to embarking on a second honeymoon with her husband, Benjamin, she discovered a lump in her breast.

Towards the end of that year, she received another cancer diagnosis without a specified type and went through a round of chemotherapy treatment.

Amy returned to hospital in August 2024 for more tests where, finally, she was given the all-clear.

Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition

Following a tumultuous year, I’m thrilled to share that I, Amy, have triumphantly returned to my TV show after bravely battling cancer. This time, I’ve been partnered with the talented JB, and together we’re ready to bring our unique energy and insights to the screen once more.

However, during our recent Halloween special broadcast, it was reported that she was taken to the hospital after collapsing at Elstree Studios, which is where the BBC show is based in Hertfordshire. This incident happened due to an unexpected medical issue that occurred backstage.

Just prior to her sudden trip to the hospital, Amy had gracefully danced the Foxtrot to the song “Dancing in the Moonlight” by Toploader alongside her famous partner JB. However, spectators pointed out that during her most recent performance, she was partially seated.

On last Sunday evening’s episode of Strictly, spectators saw John (JB) and his substitute partner, Lauren, manage to dodge the dance-off and proceed to another round in the competition.

In a stunning display, the singer and Lauren reached the pinnacle of the leaderboard together following their captivating performance of a Bruno Mars medley in the couples’ choice category, receiving an almost perfect score of 39 out of 40 points.

As they advanced to another week, JB expressed his affection for Amy by dedicating the performance to her, mouthing “For you, Amy” towards the camera.

As I sat there, my heart swelled with emotion as I witnessed JB and their new partner, Lauren, receiving an almost flawless score for their dance routine. Tears streamed down my face, reflecting the sense of loss and disbelief that washed over me.

She expressed her gratitude to Lauren, saying “Thank you so much, Lauren. I appreciate you both, you’re simply incredible. It’s just a pity I couldn’t be there with you.

Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition

Just prior to JB and the choreographer, Lauren, stepping onto the dance floor, Amy posted an emotional message of encouragement for them on social media.

Speaking directly to JB, Amy expressed: ‘JB, the way you’ve managed to adjust to this new professional role and create such an impressive output (can’t wait for everyone to witness it) while simultaneously supporting me is saying a lot. I feel incredibly fortunate! You’re shining brightly! I know how much this night means to you! Thank you!’

Additionally, she expressed warm sentiments towards Lauren when she took over momentarily on the show, exclaiming enthusiastically: “Thank you so much! I was confident Jay would be well taken care of and would enjoy herself immensely with you!

Ever since that memorable moment when I rushed over to speak with you at the Blackpool Tower as an eight-year-old, my admiration for your dance moves has only grown stronger. I just wanted to express my gratitude to you!

Wrapping up her kind words, Amy additionally praised the Strictly choreographers for creating an outstanding dance routine, expressing her appreciation for the backing she’s received from her fans.

She also wanted to express her heartfelt gratitude for the love and encouragement she received during the last week. I am truly thankful, and it definitely made a difference! Now, I invite you to join me for the very first week of ICONS on Strictly.

In response, JB penned down his sincere thoughts, saying: “You’re simply outstanding! Your faith in me brings me up higher and your unyielding courage sets an example for all!

Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition
Amy Dowden's poignant final words to Strictly audience before she was forced to pull out of competition

‘Thank you for being my biggest champion and I know that @laurenmayoakley and I will do you PROUD.’

On the recent episode of It Takes Two, Janette Manrara inquired, “Let’s begin with you, Amy. How have you been feeling lately?

The skilled dancer responded affirmatively: “Absolutely, I’m feeling significantly improved, and I want to express my gratitude to each one of you for your kindness and encouragement. To my fellow Strictly cast members, too – thank you!

Reflecting on this past week during our program, she expressed her feelings by saying: “I’m incredibly proud and thankful towards Lauren. They’ve put in so much effort, and JB has been an amazing source of support for me. He’s been focused, and together they’ve kept me updated throughout the entire week.

In the course of the interview, Lauren shared that they maintain a WhatsApp group amongst the trio, with herself and JB frequently sending video updates to Amy to ensure she’s kept informed.

Amy added her thoughts by saying: ‘I named it ‘Team’, and there’s a little star beside it. We exchange videos and messages daily.’

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2024-11-05 12:35

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