Amy Dowden’s Injury Unconnected to Prior Health Scares

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has emphasized that her reason for not returning to the series this year has “nothing to do with any previous health scares”. Two weeks ago, Dowden was admitted to hospital as a “precaution” after she began “feeling unwell”. On Wednesday, she informed the Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two that she has an “insufficiency stress fracture, if I’ve said that right, on my shin”. The 34-year-old Dowden had rejoined the BBC competition for its 20th anniversary season, having been absent the previous year during her treatment for breast cancer. She expressed being “absolutely gutted” about withdrawing from the current season’s performances, but stated she was advised “to rest for a couple of weeks”. During an emotional interview with presenter Janette Manrara, Dowden further conveyed her “heartbroken” feelings regarding the choice. She remarked, “Being back with the Strictly family was the best rehab.” Dowden also voiced her hope to be “back dancing in some capacity, maybe in a group number, by the end of the series”. Fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley is set to replace Dowden, partnering with her celebrity contestant, JLS singer JB Gill. Oakley previously filled in for Dowden last Saturday, when the duo performed a Bruno Mars medley and achieved a score of 39 points. Dowden commented that Gill is “so talented, like he picks up the routine so fast, it’s unbelievable”. She added, “But, most importantly, he just loves to dance.” Dowden continued, “He’s enjoying his magical, Strictly journey, and honestly, I can’t wait to watch them just continue, in JB’s words, he’d say – ‘That’s dope’.” On Instagram, Gill commended Dowden for her “fight and determination” and stated he held “nothing but admiration” for her. Dowden first received a diagnosis of stage three breast cancer at age 32 in May 2023, having discovered a lump in her breast the day before her honeymoon. The dancer, now 34, received a second diagnosis later in the same year. She went back to hospital in August 2024 for additional examinations after medical professionals noted abnormalities in her breast following a check-up. Subsequently, she was given the all-clear. Dowden shared details of her experience with breast cancer in the BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, which aired in September. Furthermore, she lives with Crohn’s disease, a lifelong ailment characterized by inflammation in parts of the digestive system, and has previously discussed its impact on her well-being. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.