Strictly’s Lauren Oakley prepares to replace Amy Dowden as she joins other stars heading to the live show for first ever Icons Week
The Strictly stars were in full force on Saturday as they headed to the studio ahead of the live match.
Lauren Oakley – who will be JB Gill’s temporary partner after Amy Dowden was forced to pull out due to her health problems – headed to the studios in gray trousers and a gray cropped jumper.
The professional dancer wore a pair of large hoop earrings and wrapped in a puffer jacket to ward off the winter chill.
JB’s professional partner Amy, 34, was rushed to hospital during last week’s live show after collapsing backstage.
As she recovers, the BBC announced that Lauren would step in for Amy and dance with the JLS star, 37.
Lauren Oakley and other Strictly stars were in full force on Saturday as they headed to the studio ahead of the live match
Lauren becomes the temporary partner of JB Gill (pictured together) after Amy Dowden had to withdraw due to her health problems
Hours before JLS singer JB, 37, and choreographer Lauren, 33, hit the dance floor, Amy — who is believed to be in remission after battling breast cancer and Crohn’s disease — reached out to the pair with a heartfelt statement of support.
JB and Lauren dance the Couple’s Choice routine to Bruno Mars for the first ever Icons Week.
Amy posted a photo of JB and Lauren to her Instagram ahead of the show, saying, “I definitely wish this one the best of luck tonight! I’m going to be your biggest cheerleader!’
BBC bosses have said they are ‘hopeful’ Amy will return next week.
Joining Lauren were comedian Chris McCausland, 47, and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, 35, who appeared cheerful as they walked side by side.
The duo who have been tipped as favorites to win the competition after impressing the judges with their Cha Cha Cha appeared excited to be performing for another week.
Dianne smiled as she walked around in a green unitard with a black button-up jacket and black Dr. Marten boots.
Letting her bright red locks fall loose over her shoulders, the dancer completed her outfit with a crossover handbag and put on an animated display as she high-fived the camera.
Comedian Chris McCausland, 47, and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, 35, appeared in good spirits as they walked side by side
Dianne smiled as she walked around in a green unitard with a black button-up coat and black Dr. Marten boots, as she let her bright red locks fall loose over her shoulders
Dianne smiled as she walked around in a green unitard with a black button-up jacket and black Dr. Marten boots, while Chris kept it casual in a green jacket, blue T-shirt and gray sweatpants.
Comedian Chris – who made history as the show’s first-ever blind contestant – kept it casual in a green jacket, blue T-shirt and gray sweatpants.
Also present at the rehearsals were Sam Quek and Tasha Ghouri, who opted to go makeup-free for the outing.
The former Love Island star, 26, opted for a relaxed look for the outing as she donned an oversized brown jacket which she wore over brown trousers and an oversized white T-shirt.
Sam, 36, also went for a comfortable look as she wore a loose tracksuit and trainers.
Wynne Evans, who has had two number one classical music albums and performed at iconic venues including London’s Royal Albert Hall, was spotted without his dance partner Katya Jones.
The Welsh opera singer cut a casual figure in a dark blue shacket worn over a white T-shirt and jeans.
The radio presenter wore a pair of blue socks and brown Birkenstocks and carried his blue suitcase along as he got out of the car with fellow celeb dancer Jamie Borthwick.
After losing an astonishing 7 stone in the past year – which he modestly describes as ‘a piece of wood’ – Wynne revealed he has lost even more weight since signing up for the dancing show on BBC One.
Also present at the rehearsals were Sam Quek and Tasha Ghouri, who opted to go makeup-free for the outing
The former Love Island star, 26, opted for a relaxed look for the outing as she donned an oversized brown coat and Sam, 36, also went for a comfortable look as she wore a loose tracksuit and trainers
Tasha showed off her natural good looks as she appeared to be makeup free ahead of the show for the first ever Icons Week
Wynne Evans cut a casual figure in a dark blue shacket that he wore over a white T-shirt and jeans as he stepped out of the car with fellow celeb dancer Jamie Borthwick
The radio host wore a pair of blue socks and brown Birkenstocks and wheeled his blue suitcase, while Jamie braved the cold in gray shorts.
After losing an astonishing 7 stone in the past year – which he modestly describes as ‘a piece of wood’ – Wynne revealed he has lost even more weight since signing up for the BBC One dance show
Elsewhere, actor Shayne Ward joined his dance partner Nancy Xu in the London studio, where they greeted photographers warmly
Shayne, dressed in sweatpants and a sweater, gave a thumbs up while a beaming Nancy bundled up against the chill in a yellow hat, oversized coat and fuzzy shoes
His health kick started after his weight jumped to almost 24 stone and he started having ‘problems washing and going up stairs’.
He told The Mail: “I feel more confident. Looking in the mirror all day long is a bit strange to me, because I always try to avoid the mirror.
‘But I really enjoy it. I haven’t seen my neck in a long time. I feel like a giraffe!’
Wynne put his weight loss down to a calorie-restricted diet, long walks with his new love, events manager Liz Brookes, 50, and the physical demands of Strictly.
Jamie – who quashed romance rumors with his professional partner Michelle Tsiakkas last month when he was spotted dining with a mystery blonde – braved the cold in gray shorts and a blue fleece as he headed to the studio.
Elsewhere, actor Shayne Ward joined his dance partner Nancy Xu in the London studio, where they greeted photographers warmly.
Dressed in sweatpants and a sweater, Shayne gave a thumbs up while a beaming Nancy bundled up against the chill in a yellow hat, oversized coat and fuzzy shoes.