Amy Dowden replacement is confirmed as show bosses step in after Strictly Come Dancing star was hospitalised following medical emergency during live show

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has been temporarily replaced by show bosses after suffering a ‘medical emergency’ backstage during Saturday’s live Halloween special.

The Welsh dancer, who was believed to be in remission from breast cancer, was admitted to hospital after a reported collapse at Elstree Studios, the BBC show’s Hertfordshire base.

Moments earlier, Dowden, 34, had performed Foxtrot to Toploader hit Dancing In The Moonlight with her celebrity partner, JLS star JB Gill.

Strictly bosses have since replaced her with professional dancer Lauren Oakley, who was originally left without a partner for this year’s show as she recovers.

Oakley will rehearse with Gill in Dowden’s absence after the singer avoided the dance-off to finish fifth on the Strictly leaderboard with a combined score of 32 from show judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton du Beke.

A source said The sun: ‘Lauren is coming over today to train with JB. It’s unclear when Amy will return, but everyone just wants her to rest and get better.”

Show insiders feared Dowden, who is also battling Crohn’s disease, could leave the show after her collapse on Saturday night.

The dancer, who missed the 2023 series of Strictly after being diagnosed with breast cancer, was forced to miss Sunday’s Results show, which was pre-recorded shortly after her collapse on Saturday evening.

Now concerned insiders fear she won’t be able to continue competing given the severity of her incident.

An insider told The Sun: ‘Amy was clearly in dire distress. Everyone around her was equally shocked because they felt so helpless.

“JB needed a hug. Even the doctor who first cared for Amy needed support and comfort.

“All they could do was try to get her to the hospital as quickly and safely as possible.”

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