Strictly’s Amy Dowden burst into tears as she watched JB Gill and her replacement Lauren Oakley achieve a near-perfect score on Saturday night.
The Welsh dancer, 34, was forced to withdraw from this weekend’s show after collapsing backstage last week, with fellow professional Lauren called in as her replacement.
And as Amy watched JLS star JB and Lauren score a whopping 39 out of 40 points, she started to cry with joy.
She said, “I’m so grateful, Lauren. Thank you Lauren, thank you J, you too are just amazing. I wish I was there with you.”
JB, 37, and professional partner Lauren, 33, performed their couple’s choice in a medley for Bruno Mars.
Strictly’s Amy Dowden, 34, broke down in tears as she watched JB Gill, 37, and her replacement Lauren Oakley, 33, achieve a near-perfect score on Saturday night
The Welsh dancer was forced to withdraw from this weekend’s show after collapsing backstage last week, with fellow professional Lauren called in as her replacement
Hours before JB and choreographer Lauren hit the dance floor, Amy — who is believed to be in remission after battling breast cancer and Crohn’s disease — wrote a heartfelt message of support for the couple on social media.
In a post to Instagram on Saturday, Amy shared a photo of Lauren and JB and wrote in the caption, “Wishing these two the best of luck tonight! I’m going to be your biggest cheerleader!’
Addressing her dance partner directly, Amy continued, “JB, it says it all how you were able to adapt to being a new professional, produce such an amazing song (so excited for everyone to see it) while supporting me!
‘I’m so lucky! You are a STAR! I know what tonight means to you! Thank you!’
The blonde beauty also had kind words for Lauren after stepping in to fill in for her temporarily on the show.
Amy shared, “Thank you, I knew Jay would be in safe hands and have a fantastic time with you! You know, I’ve always loved your dancing ever since I ran up to you in Blackpool Tower at the age of 8 to tell you! Thanks darling!’
To round off her sweet message, Amy also shouted out the Strictly choreographers for ‘such a brilliant routine’ as she shared her gratitude for the support she received from fans.
‘Thank you also for all the love and support I have received over the past week. So grateful and definitely helped! Tune in now strictly for the very first ICONS week!’ she concluded.
And as Amy watched JLS star JB and Lauren receive a whopping 39 points out of 40, she started to cry with joy
She said, “I’m so grateful, Lauren. Thank you Lauren, thank you J, you too are just amazing. I wish I was there with you’
Strictly Come Dancing returned to the ballroom on Saturday evening for a special themed Icons Week, with the couples dancing to legendary songs from some of the world’s most iconic music artists.
The show opened with a stunning performance by the professional dancers to a medley of Beyoncé’s hit songs.
Johannes Radebe led the routine as he channeled his inner Sasha Fierce, which included bejeweled cowboy hats, power ballad moves and sparkling sass.
Chris McCausland, 47, and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, 35, paid up tribute to KISS, dancing a tango to Rock and Roll All Nite.
On what makes an icon, Chris said: “Someone who has been at the forefront of something and kept it going, like Alice Cooper. He has been one of the pioneers of rock music since the 1960s.’
Former professional hockey player Sam Quek, 36, and Nikita Kuzmin, 25, honored Taylor Swift with an American Smooth to ‘Love Story’.
Then Pete Wicks, 36, turned into Freddie Mercury with a salsa to ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ alongside his dance partner Jowita Przystał, 30,
Gladiator Montell Douglas, 36, and Johannes performed a waltz to “I Will Always Love You” for Whitney Houston.
Wynne Evans, 52, and Katya Jones, 35, paid tribute to Shirley Bassey in a Rumba to “This is My Life.”
Sarah Hadland, 53, and Vito Coppola, 33, gave a show-stopping performance in a Madonna-inspired Cha Cha to “Like a Prayer.”
Tasha Ghouri, 26, and Aljaž Škorjanec, 34, celebrated P!nk as they danced their couple’s pick to “What About Us.”
Eastenders star Jamie Borthwick, 30, and Michelle Tsiakkas, 29, channeled George Michael in their Samba to ‘Faith’
Last to take the stage were singer Shayne Ward, 40, and his partner Nancy Xu, 33, who celebrated The Beatles as they danced a Quickstep to “Help!”