Strictly Come Dancing opened Saturday’s show with a sweet tribute to Amy Dowden after the dancer was forced to pull out. 

The professional’s time on the series came to an abrupt end two weeks ago due to a stress fracture. Her celebrity partner JB Gill is continuing with a new partner, Lauren Oakley.

At the start of the programme, host Tess Daly said: ‘Before we get started, our lovely Amy Dowden has had to withdraw from this year’s compeтιтion due to injury so Lauren will be stepping in and dancing with JB for the rest of his time on the show.’

Claudia Winkleman added: ‘Amy, everyone at Strictly is sending you so much love and we cannot wait to see you back on this dance floor, very very soon.’

‘Lots of love from us all to you,’ Tess said. 

Strictly Come Dancing opened Saturday’s show with a sweet tribute to Amy Dowden after the dancer was forced to pull out

At the start of the programme, host Tess Daly said: ‘Before we get started, our lovely Amy Dowden has had to withdraw from this year’s compeтιтion due to injury’ 

Amy broke down in tears during an emotional appearance on It Takes Two on Wednesday.

Fighting back tears, Amy shared that the reason she was forced to withdraw from Strictly was ‘an insuffiencency stress fracture on her shin,’ but she hoped that after a few weeks rest, she could appear in a professionals group dance later in the series.

She told host Janette Manrara: ‘I’m absolutely gutted, unfortunately I have had an insuffiencency stress fracture on my shin, nothing to do with my injury last year. 

‘I’m gutted, I have to rest for a couple of weeks, but JB will have to conitnue without me. Hopefully I’ll be back in some capacity, a group number, at the end of the series.’

Asked how much it meant to her to be back on Strictly this year after battling breast cancer, Amy tearfully said: ‘It was everything, sorry I’m heartbroken! Being back with the Strictly family was the best rehab.

‘Lauren is getting a very kind, very patient partner, but he is so talented, he picks up the routine so fast. He just loves to dance, he’s just enjoying his Strictly journey, and I just can’t wait to see them continue on that dancefloor.’

‘I’m just gutted because I was having the best best time, it’s such an incredible experience, to have it unfortunately cut short is heartbreaking. I’ll be there cheering everybody on!’

‘I want to stress it’s nothing to do with any previous health scares, it’s one of those things.’

The professional’s time on the series came to an abrupt end two weeks ago due to a foot injury. H er celebrity partner JB Gill is continuing with a new partner, Lauren Oakley 

Amy broke down in tears during an emotional appearance on It Takes Two on Wednesday and shared that the reason she was forced to withdraw from Strictly was ‘a stress fracture’

Fighting back tears, Amy shared that the reason she was forced to withdraw from Strictly was ‘an insuffiencency stress fracture on her shin’

The inspiring dancer said the minor Strictly set back is ‘teaching her to keep pushing and become better’

Amy added that Lauren was in for a treat dancing with JB, as he has ‘so much rhythm’ and had the potential to go far in the compeтιтion.

She added: ‘I’m keeping up to date with how the dance is going. We’ve spoken a lot. We’ve formed such a lovely friendship.

‘Lauren is getting a very kind and patient partner. He picks up the routines so fast, and most of all, he just loves to dance. I can’t wait to watch them continue. As JB says: ”That’s dope”.’ 

Earlier in the day, Amy posted an emotional message on Instagram celebrating one year since finishing chemotherapy. 

The professional dancer rang the bell in hospital on this day last year following her gruelling battle with breast cancer, and is now in remission.

Amy was just 32 when, in May last year, she was given the earth-shattering news she had stage 3 breast cancer.

In the uplifting message Amy reflected on the difficult past year, admitting she feels ‘so proud of what she’s achieved’.

JB Gill is now dancing with a new professional, Lauren Oakley 

Earlier in the day, Amy posted an emotional message on Instagram celebrating one year since finishing chemotherapy 

In the uplifting message Amy reflected on the difficult past year, admitting she feels ‘so proud of what she’s achieved’

The inspiring dancer said the minor set back is ‘teaching her to keep pushing and become better’.

Sharing a sweet video of all her highlights over the past year, Amy wrote: ‘Since 09.11.2023 I made a promise to myself that I’d always go grab life, what @nicknacklou taught me. 

‘At the time I didn’t know what was ahead, awaiting tests and I guess the hardest part yet the long recovery from what chemo and surgery does to you.

‘I was a ‘new’ me but deep inside found I had zero confidence. Even until late spring I wasn’t sure I had the confidence to dance again. I just didn’t feel like me. But I’m so glad I pushed through because it’s what has made me truly happy again.

‘Although today I’m not celebrating how I imagined and so wanted to. 

‘I’ve made myself look back on the last year and feel so proud of all I have achieved and what I would have told the struggling Amy back last December and January what was ahead.

‘But importantly I’m alive and living life to the full. I’m forever grateful to @coppafeel and @mrsgifletcher who ultimately got me checking and saved my life. To all the drs and nurses who have and continue to care for me. Thank you.

‘Yes life throws many bumps along the way but I’m ensuring these bumps teach me and push me to become better, don’t get bitter get better. 

‘I’m also lucky to have those around me who are there for the good, the bad and the ugly. You all know who you are and I love you endlessly’

‘I’ll keep pushing, keep dreaming and make sure I go grab life in every way possible!’

The professional dancer rang the bell in hospital on this day last year following her gruelling battle with breast cancer, and is now in remission

Amy was just 32 when, in May last year, she was given the earth-shattering news she had stage 3 breast cancer

It was confirmed on Monday that Amy will not return for the rest of the series, a week after she was hospitalised following a collapse backstage (pictured with JB during their last dance)

It was confirmed on Monday’s episode of It Takes Two that Amy will not return for the rest of the series, as she recovers from her injury.

A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: ‘Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the compeтιтion 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.’