raw reveal
Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden breaks down in tears on Lorraine as she admits ‘I feel I have let JB down’
It came after Amy opened up on the nature of her injury
AMY Dowden fought back tears as she heartbreakingly revealed she felt she had let celebrity partner JB Gill "down" after she was forced to quit the rest of this year's Strictly Come Dancing series.
This week, the sad news that Welsh dancer Amy, 34, was out of the remainder of the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 instalment due to injury left fans devastated.
6
6
6
Amy, who has Crohn's Disease and has been battling cancer, missed the results programme last week after she was rushed to hospital.
Yet sadly a stress fracture has forced her out of the BBC One show completely.
Amy, who was partnered with JLS star JB Gill, 37, broke down in tears on spin off show It Takes Two in her first day since she stepped down from the series.
On Thursday, she appeared on ITV daytime show Lorraine and admitted she was "heartbroken" about the turn of events.
read more amy dowden
She told host Lorraine Kelly: "I am going to do my best not to cry," yet tears filled her eyes as she said: "I am gutted it's had to end this way.
"I feel I have let JB down.
"And to me, after those words 'Amy you've got cancer' this ..." before struggling to complete her sentence.
She choked up again when telling of her desire to have danced during this Saturday's live show - as it would have been a year to the day since she rang the cancer bell to signal the end of her treatment.
Most read in Reality
Amy added: "I feel I wanted to show myself how far I have come after one year."
Showing her fighting spirit, the fan-favourite star added she was now forced to avoid hard impact on her leg and foot for a couple of weeks.
Strictly’s JB Gill and new partner Lauren Oakley share steamy video after Amy Dowden's exit
Yet Amy believes she could return for the end of her series - and also has her sights set on her tour in the New Year.
She added: "I have had a lot of setbacks.
"I am used to picking myself back up."
INJURY WOE
A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson this week clarified Amy's future on the series.
Amy Dowden's statement in full
"My heart is breaking right now. 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, what we needed to work on. I felt free again.
"My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the strictly dance floor. It's been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 too. Which with my incredible team we got there. Something I wanted to do for myself and loved ones.
"There was no feeling like it dancing again in the ballroom with my strictly family. Then I was partnered with the talented,kind, gentle soul JB. Every day our training room was chilled, hardworking and full of big smiles enjoying what we was creating together with a blossoming friendship.
"JB thank you for being the perfect partner back. We topped the leader board week one and continued to work so hard and thank you for being so passionate about understanding the ballroom and Latin fundamentals.
"For me that rumba will always be one of my favs. I'm so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short. My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know only too well 'this too shall pass' and I'll be soon better and back dancing.
"Something I've had to get used to in my life. I'm sure at some point we will dance again JB To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you.
"JB I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor I'll forever be your biggest cheerleader."
They said: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year.
"Whilst Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow Professional Dancer, Lauren Oakley, will step in as JB’s dance partner.
"The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes."
Amy then confirmed on she is suffering from an "insufficiency stress fracture" on her shin, rather than from a foot injury as first thought.
She told It Takes Two viewers on Wednesday night: "Unfortunately I have an insufficiency fracture on my shin, if I've said that right.
"Nothing to do with my injury last year. So yeah, I'm just absolutely gutted that I need to rest for a couple of weeks."
TOUGH TIMES
Beat Again hitmaker JB is now dancing with Amy's replacement, Laura Oakley.
Fans noted Amy's "crushed" demeanour and "brave" face before she burst into tears during the live episode on Saturday.
Amy, who donned a black dress with silver sparkle detail as the pair's cheerleader, sobbed as Lauren and JB scooped a hugely impressive 39 out of 40 for their routine.
One fan was quick to take to the Strictly forum and write: "Amy's putting on a brave face but she looks crushed. It's making me cry."
Another added of Amy's emotion: "I think it was probably a lot of things.
"Sad that she wasn't well enough to dance herself, angry that she's had so many health issues, proud of JB for dancing so well, grateful to Lauren for stepping in.
"Maybe some jealousy and shame too because they are both slippery emotions that rear their head when we're feeling vulnerable."
Meanwhile, after Lauren's impressive score with the X Factor star on Saturday, fans have called for her to be given a celeb partner next year.
She first joined the BBC show back in 2022.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Last year, Lauren partnered newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy, with the pair placing 8th overall.
Meanwhile, JB has opened up on his "surreal" rehearsals with Lauren.
6
6
6
Topics