Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden was in ‘huge distress’ after falling ill over the weekend. An ambulance was called as a ‘precaution’

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden was in ‘huge distress’ in the moments before she reportedly collapsed backstage over the weekend.

The professional dancer, 34, and JLS star JB Gill performed a foxtrot to Toploader’s Dancing In The Moonlight and impressed the judges enough to received a respectable score of 32. However, moments after the live performance, Amy started to feel ill and an ambulance was called ‘as a precaution’.

A representative for the star later said she was ‘feeling much better’ and thanked fans for their messages of concern. She wasn’t able to film for the results show, which aired on Sunday night. Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly said to viewers: “Before we get started, Amy isn’t able to be with us for tonight’s show.”

The JLS star was seen on his own on the staircase as it was announced he was going through to next week for the couple’s choice. A source recently claimed that Amy – who has been battling cancer and has Crohn’s Disease – could be removed from the show for her health.

Amy and JB got a 32 from the judges this weekend ( 
Image:
BBC/Guy Levy)

She fell ill a few moments after the performance ( 
Image:
BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Speaking about Amy’s health scare, the source added to The Sun: “Amy was obviously in huge distress. Everyone around her was equally upset because they felt so helpless. JB had to be given a hug. Even the medic who first attended to Amy needed support and consolation”

A representative for Amy said of her recent absence: “Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution. She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern. We request Amy’s privacy in matters of health is kindly respected.”

A spokesperson the East of England Ambulance Service also said: “We were called just after 9pm on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene and one patient, an adult female, was taken to Barnet Hospital for further care.”

If Amy leaves the show to focus on her health, which professional dancer would be most likely to replace her. For this year’s series, dancer Lauren Oakley is the only female Strictly star not to be assigned a partner. Lauren joined the BBC competition in 2022, the same year as Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu and Michelle Tsiakkas. She didn’t have a partner for her first series and was only in the group routines.