Strictly Come Dancing’s latest series has encountered another setback as Welsh dance pro Amy Dowden bows out of the competition due to injury. Initially set to dazzle alongside JLS alumni JB Gill, Amy has unfortunately had to hang up her dancing shoes following a foot injury.
Fellow Strictly contestants have rallied around with messages of support for Amy, with Welsh celebrity Wynne Evans and his dance partner Katya Jones taking to social media to express their sympathies.
On Wynne’s Instagram stories, Katya shared her thoughts on Amy’s departure, articulating the professional’s heartache at having to leave the show prematurely, while Wynne chimed in, highlighting Wales’s likely disappointment.
Katya expressed her sadness, saying: “We were just also talking about Amy, so so sad that she has to withdraw.”
To which Wynne responded, “Really gutted for her.”
Katya elaborated on the professional dancer’s dilemma stating: “As a pro… you don’t understand how gutting it is. It’s the one thing you want to be, you want to be on that floor but wishing all the best luck to JB and Lauren”, reports Wales Online.
Wynne continued to address his own feelings and anticipated reaction from the Welsh public: “I just am disappointed and I know Wales will be disappointed that Amy can’t continue in the competition, but get well soon, that is the main thing.”
In a poignant declaration, Amy conveyed her anguish at having to exit Strictly, revealing that she felt like herself once more after years of fighting cancer, no longer waking up with it as her initial concern.
She lamented, “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.”
The star opened up about their touching experience after a tough battle with cancer, revealing their joy at returning to the spotlight: “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 to.”
There was an outpouring of emotion as they recounted the exhilaration of performing once more: “There was no feeling like it dancing again in the ballroom with my Strictly family. Then I 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 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 faves.”
Tragedy struck when they had to leave the competition due to injury, as they shared their heartbreak: “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 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. JB – I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor. I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader.”
Fans are reminded that Strictly Come Dancing continues this Saturday on BBC One.
