BBC Strictly Come Dancing star withdraws from show as pro issues 'extremely sad' news

Strictly Come Dancing's Carlos Gu penned a heartbreaking tribute to Amy Dowden. Two weeks ago, the Welsh dancer was rushed to hospital after collapsing backstage.

The 34-year-old has since announced she is stepping down from the dancefloor for the remainder of the BBC series.

The BBC insisted at the time that they were hopeful Amy would return to the dance floor this week, but it’s now been confirmed this will not be possible for the rest of the series due to a foot injury she has sustained.

Carlos, who is expected to go on tour with Amy next year, reacted to the "sad" news.

Taking to his Instagram stories, the dancer reposted her candid message before adding his own words, admitting he's unsure whether he's done enough for his friend.

Carlos wrote: "This my friend! And am extremely sad for this news and I don't even know being here with her if it's enough anymore. I love you!"

In a more personal statement shared on her own Instagram page on Monday night, Amy told her followers: “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.

“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 back.

“We topped the leaderboard 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 [favourites].”

Amy continued: “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 I’ll be soon better and back dancing. Something I’ve had to get used to in my life."

She concluded: “I’m sure at some point we will dance again, JB.”