Former Strictly Come Dancing finalist Fleur East has sent well wishes to colleague Amy Dowden following the news that she won't compete in the rest of the latest series.
Amy, 34, didn't take to the dancefloor on Saturday, following reports that she 'collapsed' backstage the weekend prior. It's since been confirmed that she will no longer compete on the current series of the BBC show, with Lauren Oakley now permanently replacing her as JB Gill's dance partner.
Amy's departure was announced on companion show It Takes Two on Monday, with host Fleur, 37 - who was a finalist in 2022 - sharing a statement from a Strictly spokesperson. After reading out the statement, Fleur shared her own message for professional dancer Amy. Looking at the camera, she said to her colleague: "Sending you all our love, Amy. Get better soon."
The statement from a spokesperson for Strictly read: "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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WireImage)Amy - who returned to Strictly this year after undergoing cancer treatment - addressed her departure in her own statement this week. She wrote: "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 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."
It was reported earlier this month that Amy had 'collapsed' backstage shortly after dancing with JB on October 26. It was confirmed that she had been taken to Barnet Hospital from Elstree Studios as a "precaution" after she began "feeling unwell". She was subsequently absent from that weekend's results show but last week revealed that she was "feeling so much better". She then took a break from Strictly and sat out last weekend's show, with Lauren, who does not have a celebrity dance partner this year, standing in for her.
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