raw emotion
Strictly viewers break down in tears over ‘crushed’ Amy Dowden as brave dancer returns after backstage collapse
It came after JB and stand-in pro Lauren pulled out a huge score
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans became hugely emotional as they called out BBC show professional Amy Dowden's "crushed" look last night.
Viewers of the reality series celebrated as the Welsh lass, 34, arrived on the BBC One set during Saturday's live programme.
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Amy - who had posted an emotional tribute to celebrity partner JB Gill, 37, just hours before he took to the dancefloor - proved the perfect cheerleader for the JLS star, after she was forced to pull out of their partnership this week.
The She Makes Me Wanna hitmaker performed a Couple's Choice routine to a series of Bruno Mars tracks with Strictly professional Lauren Oakley, 33, due to Amy's recent illness.
Amy, who has Crohn's Disease and has been battling cancer, missed the results programme last week after she was rushed to hospital.
This week, Strictly confirmed she would be replaced both for rehearsals and the live show.
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Yet fans noted her "crushed" demeanour and "brave" face before she burst into tears during the live episode.
Amy, who donned a black dress with silver sparkle detail, sobbed as Lauren and JB scooped a hugely impressive 39 out of 40 for their routine.
One fan was quick to take to the Strictly forum and write: "Amy's putting on a brave face but she looks crushed. It's making me cry."
Another added of Amy's emotion: "I think it was probably a lot of things.
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"Sad that she wasn't well enough to dance herself, angry that she's had so many health issues, proud of JB for dancing so well, grateful to Lauren for stepping in.
"Maybe some jealousy and shame too because they are both slippery emotions that rear their head when we're feeling vulnerable.
Strictly's JB Gill opens up on 'surreal' rehearsals with Lauren after Amy Dowden's collapse
"Just a lot of different emotions."
A third then posted: "Me and my OH said if she comes back what does she do if his scores plummet. It must be so hard for her."
One then confessed: "I cried too!
"I don't cry for SCD."
Strictly Amy's cancer 'nightmare'
The Sun's Jamie Downham takes a look at the beloved Strictly star's ups and downs...
AS Strictly Come Dancing viewers know, you'll struggle to catch Amy Dowden without a huge smile on her face.
But recently the Welsh star - one the best-rated Ballroom and Latin American professional dancers the UK has ever produced - has suffered a string of "nightmare" blows to her health.
She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year and underwent a full mastectomy, before having chemotherapy towards the end of 2023.
However, she later reported docs had found a clot on her lung, telling fans sadly: "Unfortunately I've had another nightmare this week."
Nonetheless, brave Amy, seen here dancing with James Bye, made an epic return to Strictly the following month with an appearance that left many viewers in floods tears.
As 2024 dawned, she admitted: "I feel I was robbed of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry."
However, she was soon smiling again. Amy, her hair starting to grow back after her cancer treatment, was seen messing around with her co-stars Dianne Buswell and Vito Coppola on the Strictly tour earlier this month.
And despite another spell in hospital in February, she still mustered a cheeriness many would struggle for, telling fans: "The sun is shining - and I certainly can't wait for Spring."
And we certainly can't wait to see you dancing again, Amy...
FAN DEMAND
After Lauren's impressive score with the Beat Again hitmaker last night, fans have called for her to be given a celeb partner next year.
She first joined the BBC show back in 2022.
On social media, viewers praised Lauren's talent - and called for her not to be "benched" next series.
One wrote on X: "NEVER and I mean NEVER not give Lauren a partner again! Love her."
Another commented: "Dear Strictly. Never bench Lauren Oakley again. thank you."
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Last year, Lauren partnered newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy, with the pair placing 8th overall.
Meanwhile, JB has opened up on his "surreal" rehearsals with Lauren.
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