Amy Dowden returns to Strictly ballroom for the first time after backstage collapse

BBC One viewers tuned in to Strictly's Icons Week, a highly anticipated show following Amy Dowden's backstage collapse. But the dancer was back in the ballroom this Saturday.

Amy Dowden has returned to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom for the first time after her shocking collapse backstage.

Strictly Come Dancing was back on BBC One this Saturday, November 2, as viewers tuned in to the programme's first ever Icons Week, in honour of the series' 20th anniversary. But days ahead of another live night of dancing, Amy Dowden's temporary absence from the show was confirmed.

But this Saturday, November 2, Amy was back in the ballroom alongside JB Gill and Lauren Oakley as the trio briefly spoke about the dance they'd worked on in the training room during a chat with Claudia Winkleman in the Clauditorium.

"You three did this together this week, didn't you?", Claudia asked. "Yes, it's been a real dream team", Amy replied, "to the point where Lauren put in our chat 'J, do you want a coffee?' which I replied: 'yes, he'll have a vanilla latte.'" While she was present, it was clear Amy would only be supporting JB and Lauren for the evening.

Taking to the dancefloor with her celebrity partner last week, the Welsh professional dancer was rushed to hospital when she collapsed backstage, meaning she was unable to take part in the results show, which saw Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez leave the competition.

A spokesperson for Amy said that, at the time, "Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution. She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern. We request Amy’s privacy in matters of health is kindly respected."

JB Gill, who had been left without a partner during last week's results show, was then confirmed to be partnered up with Lauren Oakley for Icons Week. The Birmingham-born dancer joined Strictly in 2022 but didn't dance with her first celebrity until the 2023 series.

Taking to her Instagram story this Monday (October 28), Lauren had then addressed a message of support to Amy as she penned: "Sending you so much love & well wishes @amy_dowden", Lauren wrote, "hope you're back on the dancefloor as soon as possible!" She then added: "I will look after @jbgill for you this week, I hope we make you proud!"

Meanwhile, JB took to Instagram to issue his own statement, thanking his and Amy's admirers for their consistent support: "On behalf of both @amy-dowden and I, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for voting for us and wishing us well."

"We absolutely loved our performance on Saturday night and are so grateful to be through to another week on @bbcstrictly Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support." Shortly before JB was due in the ballroom, Amy penned an emotional tribute to her dance partner and Lauren Oakley.

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