Strictly star Amy Dowden steps back to focus on recovery; Lauren Oakley takes her place with JLS singer JB Gill.

Strictly Come Dancing fans were saddened to learn that professional dancer Amy Dowden will not return to the dancefloor this year. A BBC spokesperson confirmed that Dowden, who was hospitalised two Saturdays ago after feeling unwell, is withdrawing from the series to focus on her recovery from a recent foot injury. Fellow dancer Lauren Oakley has stepped in to partner with Dowden’s celebrity partner, JB Gill of JLS, for the remainder of the competition.

Dowden, who has become a beloved figure on Strictly since joining in 2017, shared her heartbreak over the news in a candid Instagram post. “My heart is breaking right now,” she wrote. “The past few months I finally felt like me again. Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order… I felt free again.” She expressed disappointment over her journey being cut short, especially after a gruelling year spent battling breast cancer.

The Welsh dancer, aged 34, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023, shortly before her honeymoon. Determined to reclaim her place on Strictly, she underwent intense treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy, before receiving the all-clear. However, Dowden’s battle with illness has been fraught, as she also manages Crohn’s disease, a chronic condition that affects her digestive system.

Two weeks ago, Dowden experienced a health scare during a live show at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. After she began feeling unwell, an ambulance was called “as a precaution,” according to her spokesperson. She later assured fans that she was “feeling much better.” However, the recent foot injury has unfortunately forced her to end her season early.

Strictly star Lauren Oakley, who joined the BBC show in 2022, has now taken over as JB Gill’s partner. Oakley is no stranger to the Strictly ballroom, having been partnered with Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy last year. Together, they finished in a respectable eighth place.

Oakley made a graceful transition, dancing with JB to a Bruno Mars medley last Saturday. Their performance wowed both the judges and the audience, earning them a high score of 39 points and placing them at the top of the leaderboard alongside Tasha Ghouri, a former Love Island star. Oakley posted an encouraging message to Dowden on social media, promising to honour the partnership she shared with JB, writing, “I vow to carry your partnership forward and hopefully make you proud.”

JB Gill also offered his heartfelt support, commenting that his time dancing with Dowden “will forever be part of Strictly history.” Judge Motsi Mabuse praised Dowden’s bravery, calling her strength an inspiration to the entire Strictly family.

Dowden’s journey with breast cancer has been emotional and challenging, but she has shared her experience openly. Her BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, aired in September, giving viewers insight into her strength and resilience. The documentary covered her initial diagnosis and the various medical challenges she has faced. Dowden’s honesty about her health struggles has drawn widespread admiration and further solidified her as a beloved Strictly icon.

In her Instagram post, Dowden expressed gratitude for her time back on the show, noting, “My goal since hearing those words, ‘You have cancer,’ was to get back on the Strictly dancefloor. It’s been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 to.” She added, “There was no feeling like it, dancing again in the ballroom with [the] Strictly family.”As Dowden steps back to prioritise her health, her fans and colleagues alike have rallied around her with support and well wishes. The BBC spokesperson concluded, “The health and wellbeing of everyone on the show are always the utmost priority.” Fans of Strictly will undoubtedly miss Dowden’s presence this season but remain hopeful for her full recovery and potential return next year.