Amy Dowden appeared in high spirits as she made her return to TV, after a health scare forced her to pull out of this week’s Strictly Come Dancing live show. The professional dancer missed Sunday’s results programme after being taken to Barnet Hospital from the BBC One show’s production centre, Elstree Studios, as a “precaution” after the star began “feeling unwell”. On Friday, Dowden appeared on BBC spin-off series It Takes Two alongside her celebrity partner JB Gill and Lauren Oakley – the professional who has stepped in to rehearse with the JLS star and will perform during Saturday’s live show.
“I’m feeling so much better and I’d just like to thank everyone for all the love and support I’ve received and to my Strictly family – feeling much better,” the dancer told host BBC Two Janette Manrara. Gill and Oakley will be performing a couple’s choice during a Bruno Mars-themed performance on Saturday. “I’m just so proud and so grateful for Lauren,” Dowden said.
“They’ve worked so hard, and JB’s just been so supportive of me and just knuckled down.” Dowden also said that Gill and Oakley had been “sending videos and messages” all week with updates on his progress in a WhatsApp chat they titled “Team”, alongside a star emoji. Host Manrara said it was nice to see Dowden “looking well”.
A BBC spokesperson previously said: “We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week.” Dowden returned to the competi.