AMY'S TEARS
Heartbroken Amy Dowden breaks down in tears as she returns to TV for the first time since stepping down from BBC show
Amy is 'heartbroken' at having to leave the competition
STRICTLY Come Dancing's Amy Dowden has appeared on TV for the first time since she was forced to pull out of this year's series.
Amy, 34, broke down in tears as she told fans she is "absolutely gutted" and "heartbroken" during an interview on spin-off programme Strictly: It Takes Two.
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The professional dancer has also confirmed she is suffering from an 'insufficiency stress fracture' on her shin, rather than from a foot injury as first thought.
Amy, who has only just returned to Strictly following her cancer diagnosis, had collapsed backstage during Halloween Week.
She was partnered with JLS star JB Gill and was whisked to hospital in an ambulance.
JB is now dancing with Amy's replacement, Laura Oakley.
READ MORE ON AMY DOWDEN
In her first TV interview since bowing out of this year's series, Amy has spoken of her heartbreak.
She told It Takes Two viewers on Wednesday night: "Unfortunately I have an insufficiency fracture on my shin, if I've said that right.
"Nothing to do with my injury last year. So yeah, I'm just absolutely gutted that I need to rest for a couple of weeks."
Amy then broke down in tears as host Janette Manrara asked: "How much do you think being back with the gang contributed to your overall wellbeing?"
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"Oh it was everything...sorry, I'm heartbroken," Amy said, as she started to cry.
Janette reached over and grabbed Amy's hand, telling her: "It's okay, give me your hand. We're in this together. We've got this."
Amy Dowden OUT of Strictly Come Dancing for the series after medical emergency
Wiping her eyes, Amy added: "Being back with the Strictly family has been the best rehab."
Amy says she is hopeful she will be back dancing "in some capacity" before the series ends next month.
"Unfortunately JB has got to continue and we've got the amazing Lauren but hopefully I'll be back dancing in some capacity, maybe in a group number, by the end of the series. Fingers crossed," she said.
Amy said she has "spoken a lot to JB" and has praised his ability to pick up choreography quickly.
She then stressed that her injury is "just one of those things" and "could happen to anybody".
Concerns for Amy's health first arose when an ambulance was called to the Strictly set at Elstree Studios following the Halloween Week live show.
Amy had collapsed backstage and was whisked to hospital. JB then appeared alone on the Strictly Results Show.
It was later confirmed Amy, who suffers from Crohn's Disease, had suffered a devastating injury.
She had initially hoped to skip a week of the competition, before later confirming she was out of the series for good.
Amy fractured her foot in November 2003 as she rehearsed a dance at home three days after finishing cancer treatment.
Amy Dowden's statement in full
"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. 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 too. Which with my incredible team we got there. Something I wanted to do for myself and loved ones.
"There was no feeling like it dancing again in the ballroom with my strictly family. Then I was partnered with the talented,kind, gentle soul JB. Every day our training room was chilled, hardworking and full of big smiles enjoying what we was creating together with a blossoming friendship.
"JB thank you for being the perfect partner back. We topped the leader board 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 favs. 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 my 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."
She had endured two gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, during which she had contacted life-threatening sepsis.
Speaking for the first time since she was forced to step down, Amy had told her Instagram followers: "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. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again."
Last weekend, fans were left in tears as they watched Amy cheer on JB and Lauren from the Clauditorium during the Strictly live show.
Amy sobbed as Lauren and JB scooped a hugely impressive 39 out of 40 for their routine.
Meanwhile, Lauren has revealed that she and JB have been sending Amy videos of their rehearsals to keep her involved.
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"Yeah I set up a little WhatsApp group and we’ve been sending Amy videos," Lauren said last week.
Amy has Crohn's Disease and was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023.
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