JB Gill breaks silence after his dancer partner Amy Dowden quits Strictly after medical emergency and injury
JLS singer JB Gill has broken his silence after dance partner Amy Dowden was forced to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing after a medical emergency.
It was confirmed earlier today that Amy had been forced to permanently say goodbye to the BBC contest following a foot injury after she temporarily stood down over the weekend.
Her celeb partner JB has now issued a sympathetic message to Amy in the wake of the news.
Commenting underneath her Instagram post in which she revealed her exit, a sombre JB said: “Heartbreaking news [Amy] but our moments will be forever in Strictly history, never forget that.
“Thank you for being the best teacher. Nothing but love from all of the Gill family.”
He then went on to share on his own Instagram story: “Heartbroken for you right now [Amy], but like a phoenix you will rise. Isaiah 40:31.”
Earlier today, a spokesperson for the BBC dance contest confirmed that Amy would be replaced by Lauren Oakley who had filled in for her over the weekend.
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.”
Speaking for the first time on being forced to leave the show via Instagram earlier today, Amy said: “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.”
She went on to add: “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.”
Her most recent foot injury comes after her fractured foot last November, which occurred whilst rehearsing a dance at home, three days after she finished cancer treatment.
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.”
It came after two gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, during which she contracted life-threatening sepsis.
Over the weekend, fans were left in tears as they watched Amy cheer on JB from the clauditorium.
Amy sobbed as Lauren and JB scooped a hugely impressive 39 out of 40 for their routine.
Concerns for Amy’s health first arose when an ambulance was called to the set at Elstree Studios after she collapsed backstage.
Although the dancer was said to be “doing much better”, BBC bosses confirmed that Lauren Oakley would step in whilst Amy took a week off to recover.
The TV personality has Crohn’s Disease and has been battling stage three breast cancer for almost 18 months.
Strictly 2024 pairings
Here's who is matched with who this series...
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones