Amy Dowden to be replaced by Strictly co-star after backstage collapse

The Strictly dancer collapsed backstage

The 34-year-old collapsed backstage and an emergency ambulance was called to take her to a hospital.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called just after 21:00 BST on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.

"An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet Hospital for further care."

In a statement, Dowden's spokesperson explained: "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."

They added: "We request Amy's privacy in matters of health is kindly respected."

Following the news, it has been reported that Dowden's Strictly co-star Lauren Oakley will step in as a replacement for Monday's training sessions.

Oakley will help train with Dowden's partner on the show, JLS member JB Gill. It is not yet known when Dowden will return to training.

Dowden has Crohn's disease, a lifelong condition that affects the digestive system.

She has also been battling breast cancer since 2023.

Dowden opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis in a BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, which was broadcast in September.

However, the dancer has since had positive news, being told there were no longer signs of the disease by her doctor.

Ahead of her return to Strictly, she described her joy at being told the good news.

Writing on Instagram earlier this year, she called the news "words I dreamed of" and her "biggest accomplishment yet".

However, she has said that, as a precautionary measure, she won't be given the all-clear for another five years.

Dowden was made an MBE in this year's New Year's honours list for services to fundraising and raising awareness of Crohn's.