Strictly’s Amy Dowden issues health update as she makes TV return after hospital dash

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Amy Dowden issued a fresh health update as she made her TV return after her hospital dash.

The professional dancer appeared on It Takes Two alongside former JLS singer JB Gill and her replacement Lauren Oakley.

1

Amy, 34, was previously forced to pull out of this week's show after she was rushed to hospital.

Former professional Janette Manrara welcomed the trio into the studio to give an update on JB's progress for his forthcoming Couple's Choice routine.

Straight away, Amy was asked on her recovery as she issued an update on the BBC Two spinoff show.

She admitted: "Yeah, I'm feeling so much better.

"And I'd just like to thank everyone for all the love and support I have recieved.

"And to my Strictly family, I'm feeling much better."

An ambulance was called to the set at Elstree Studios after she collapsed backstage.

Although Welsh pro was said to be “doing much better”, BBC bosses confirmed that Lauren Oakley will step in.

A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: “Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better and the Strictly family send her love and wish her well. 

“She is delighted that fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday’s show for JB Gill’s Couple’s Choice dance. 

“We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week."

However, Amy revealed that even though she is not going to dance this weekend, she's still very involved in JB's rehearsals.

Speaking about her pride she admitted: "Not only did he have a new partner, [he had a] completely new style as well.

"And you know what? I'm just so proud. I'm so grateful to Lauren, but they've worked so hard, and JB has been so supportive of me, and just knuckled down."

Lauren revealed that they had even been sending Amy videos of their rehearsals.

Amy admitted that she even created a group chat called 'Team', that had a star icon saved into her phone next to it.

The TV personality has Crohn's Disease and has been battling stage three breast cancer for almost 18 months.

JB also revealed that it was "surreal" for him having to switch partners midway through the competition.

"It was surreal, obviously, because I'm very much used to working with Amy," he remarked.

"There have been times when we've had to work with Lauren, and so, you know, Lauren's Lovely, she's amazing. She's an incredible dancer.

"Of course, we've been watching her doing the group numbers and so on throughout the series so far.

"And so for me, it was just a case of, 'Right, we've got Lizzie and Kane helping us [choreographers]',

"We've got a completely different style of dance as well. So I felt like there was a little bit less pressure, certainly, on Lauren and on both of us in terms of executing the dance."

He added: "And it was just a time for us to let go and be in the moment, enjoy the music. And that's what it's all about.