BBC Strictly Come Dancing Amy Dowden receives tear-jerking messages from JB Gill and Lauren

Strictly Come Dancing star, Amy Dowden, has had to pull out of this year's competition due to a foot injury, leaving her legion of loyal fans heartbroken

Amy Dowden has received heart-wrenching messages from JB Gill and Lauren Oakley after being forced to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

The Welsh star, 34, made a return to the BBC show this series after undergoing treatment for breast cancer and had been partnered with JLS star, JB Gill. However, the inspirational dancer, who topped the leaderboard with JB in week one of the new series, has now had to pull out of the competition after breaking a bone in her foot.

Paying tribute to Amy, who told fans she was 'heartbroken' to have to quit the show after "finally feeling like me again", JB replied: "Heartbreaking news @amydowden, but our moments will forever be in Strictly history, never forget that. Thank you for being the best teacher. Nothing but love from all of the Gill family."

Lauren, who stepped in for Amy after she collapsed backstage in the Strictly studio two weeks ago, also praised her fellow professional, reminding her friend that they will 'always be a team', posting: "This too shall pass. We're still a team. Love you. You did the ground work, I'll carry your partnership forward and hopefully make you very proud."

Fans were delighted to see Amy return to Strictly after she was given the all-clear in February after undergoing treatment for stage three breast cancer.

However, after just a few short weeks on the show, she's had to pull out due to injury. Taking to Instagram, expressing her deep disappointment, she 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.

"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 were creating together with a blossoming friendship. JB thank you for being the perfect partner. 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 l'll be soon better and back dancing. Something l'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. I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor . I'll forever be your biggest cheerleader."

A spokeswoman for Strictly added: "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."

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