Amy Dowden's collapse was so severe 'fire service was called' to BBC Strictly studio

By Leah Stanfield, Assistant Showbiz Editor

Amy Dowden's collapse was so severe 'fire service was called'. (Image: ITV)

Amy Dowden's harrowing ordeal on Saturday night at BBC's Strictly Come Dancing prompted emergency services to rush to the scene, with firefighters reportedly arriving due to the severity of her condition. The BBC pro dancer will be absent from this weekend's episode, with Lauren Oakley taking over to pair up with JB Gill.

During the Strictly live show last Saturday night, Dowden suffered a collapse backstage and was rushed to hospital.

The severity of her condition reportedly led to the involvement of fire services and the use of special rescue equipment to ensure she remained completely horizontal while being assisted, BirminghamLive reports.

A representative for Dowden provided a statement to BBC News: "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."

The 34-year-old Welsh dancer was taken to hospital from Elstree Studios in Borehamwood after urgent care was required during the broadcast.

Amy Dowden is partnered with JB Gill on Strictly Come Dancing. (Image: BBC)

Speaking on the incident, an East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson disclosed: "We were called just after 21.00 BST on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.

"An ambulance was sent to the scene, where an adult female was subsequently taken to Barnet Hospital for further care."

The Welsh dancer battles Crohn's disease and underwent treatment for breast cancer last year.

During her treatment, Amy also endured a harrowing brush with death due to sepsis.

The dancer described herself as "very unlucky" to have caught the infection.

Speaking to Hello! magazine, Dowden recounted how just two days after receiving chemotherapy on August 3, she took a stroll with her parents, Gillian and Richard.

"The Strictly producers were checking in on me, and I was sending videos of me on my walk. I couldn't believe how good I was feeling," she shared.

After she returned from the walk, things started to get worse quickly as she "began feeling sick and not quite right".

She added to the publication: "I just got very, very unlucky. I’m also more prone to infections because my Crohn’s means I have a lower immune system."