Strictly Come Dancing stars and viewers have rallied around Amy Dowden after the professional dancer was rushed to hospital this weekend.
JLS star JB Gill was forced to perform solo for Sunday night’s results show after his partner Amy collapsed backstage after filming of Saturday’s live show wrapped.
Amy, 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 night.
JLS star JB shared an Instagram post on Sunday as the pair got through another week, writing “on behalf of both @amydowden and I.”
“I would like 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 able to continue for another week Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support.”
JB’s message was met with an outpouring of love for Amy from her co-stars and fans.
Strictly Come Dancing star JB Gill was forced to perform solo for Sunday night’s results show after his partner Amy Dowden was rushed to hospital on Saturday evening (pictured during Saturday night’s show)
JLS star JB shared an Instagram post on Sunday as the pair got through another week, writing ‘on behalf of both @amydowden and I’
Pete Wicks and Amy’s good friend on the show, fellow pro Dianne Buswell, both posted heart emojis. JB also reposted messages from fan accounts, expressing their excitement that the pair would compete for another week.
So far, Amy hasn’t posted on social media since Saturday evening.
But fans rushed to X – formerly known as Twitter – to send the professional dancer well wishes and a speedy recovery.
‘Sending our sincere best wishes for a speedy return to the studio! We love watching you and JB dance!; My best wishes and a speedy recovery to the wonderful, inspiring Amy Dowden.”
“Sending love and best wishes to #amydowden. She is so inspiring… she overcomes so much. Great to see her again on #Strictly Please be well enough to continue this series…’
“Sending lots of love to Amy Dowden. And I hope she feels so much better now; I hope Amy Dowden is doing well and wish her the best.”
‘I hope @AmyDowden feels better soon. Sending lots of love and prayers.”
At the start of the show, presenters Tess Daly and Claudia confirmed that Amy would not appear on the results show on Sunday after being rushed to hospital on Saturday evening.
Tess gave viewers at home an update as she opened the show, saying: “Amy won’t be able to be with us for tonight’s show.”
Viewers appeared solo on Sunday’s show and saw JB tell host Claudia: “Amy, of course she’s going to be so happy that we’ve made it through to Icon’s week.”
JB was left alone during the results show after it was reported that Amy was rushed to hospital after collapsing backstage after Saturday’s live show
Tess gave viewers at home an update as she opened the show, saying: ‘Amy can’t be with us for tonight’s show’
Fans rushed to X – formerly known as Twitter – to send well wishes and a speedy recovery to the professional dancer
A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said on Sunday: ‘We were called to a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood just after 9pm on Saturday.
‘An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet Hospital for further care.”
Moments earlier, the dancer had performed Foxtrot to Toploader hit Dancing In The Moonlight with her celebrity partner, JLS star JB Gill.
But fans noticed that the dancer was partially seated during her final performance.
The pair climbed to number five on the Strictly leaderboard after receiving a combined score of 32 from show judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
A statement from Amy’s spokesperson confirmed: ‘Amy felt unwell and an ambulance was called as a precaution.
After getting through Icon Week without Amy by his side, JB said, “Amy, of course she’s going to be so happy that we made it through to Icon Week.”
The Sunday Results show for Strictly is recorded after the Saturday night live show, with Amy believed to have collapsed during the short break the cast takes between shows (pictured with dance partner JB Gill during Saturday’s live show)
The 34-year-old Wesh ballroom dancer, who is believed to be in remission after her battle with breast cancer, was taken to hospital by paramedics at around 9pm on Saturday.
‘She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern.
“We ask that Amy’s health privacy be respected.”
Amy returned to the show in September after a year-long absence.
Her world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with cancer the day after she returned home from her honeymoon with dancer Ben Jones in 2023.
Although she hoped the disease could be cured by surgery, doctors discovered a different type of cancer two months later in June.
In what would become the toughest year of her life, the professional dancer underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and fertility treatment and also nearly died from sepsis.
Amy, who is also battling Crohn’s disease, confirmed she was cancer-free in February.
Although she won’t be completely safe for the next five years and will still need treatment, she thanked her family and friends for their support during her “toughest year.”
She was taken to hospital and will therefore not appear on Sunday’s show, leaving her dance partner JB Gill to face the outcome of the public vote alone
She shared a jubilant photo with Instagram followers and wrote: ‘NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of! My greatest achievement yet!
‘I’m not going to get everything straight in the next five years, especially with a hormone-fueled cancer. But it was all worth it. Words I never thought I would ever hear.
‘So grateful for all the care I received and continue to receive.
‘To my husband, family and friends who have supported me unconditionally and to you! Thank you!’
She continued: ‘I will still need a monthly injection and regular check-ups for the next five years.
‘The chemo and the past year have definitely taken their toll on my body, both physically and mentally, so I will be taking the next few months to heal and recover.
‘I have so much to strive for and live for, and so grateful for a new chance at life! Something I know not everyone understands. I definitely see life differently and my life has changed forever!