Strictly's It Takes Two host halts show to issue new health update on Amy Dowden
Amy Dowden will miss next week's Strictly Come Dancing, it has been confirmed.
Lauren Oakley has been replacing Amy in rehearsals with her celebrity partner JB Gill after she fell ill and collapsed backstage during Saturday night's main show. An ambulance was called to Elstree Studios in Borehamwood as a "precaution".
A spokesperson for Amy confirmed she was "feeling unwell so an ambulance was called as a precaution". They added: "She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern. We request Amy's privacy in matters of health is kindly respected." Amy was taken to Barnet Hospital for further care.
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As a result of this, she didn't appear in the pre-recorded results show, which is filmed after the live show on Saturday night and broadcasted as live on the Sunday evening, where one celebrity heads home.
Giving an update on Amy, It Takes Two host Fleur East read a statement out from the BBC, which confirmed Amy will be temporarily replaced by Lauren. The statement said: "Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better and the Strictly family send her love and wish her well. 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."
JB and Amy made it through to the next week on Strictly, with the JLS star taking to social media to thank the fans for their support. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "On behalf of both @amy_dowden and I, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for voting for us and wishing us well. We absolutely loved our performance on Saturday night and are so grateful to be through to another week on @bbcstrictly Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support."
Amy is expected to be back for next week's show. Her mum Gillian told the Mail Online: "We have talked today on the telephone and she is doing well." When asked if she would be dancing again next weekend, she added: "Yes, I don't see why not."
Amy returned to the show full time this year after battling breast cancer. She has been open about her health battles and revealed she nearly died last year after contracting sepsis.
Amy's mum Gillian recalled at the time: "Amy’s symptoms got worse very, very quickly. At one point she felt OK, then suddenly she felt very ill – it happened in an instant. She went to stand, then just sort of crumpled back on to the settee."
*Strictly: It Takes Two airs weekdays on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer at 6.30pm.
