JB Gill and Lauren Oakley’s Strictly dance this weekend revealed after Amy Dowden was forced to pull out of show
JB Gill and Lauren Oakley’s upcoming Strictly dance routine for this weekend has just been revealed.
Amy Dowden was previously forced to pull out of the hit BBC show after she collapsed backstage.
The popular professional dancer previously returned to Strictly Come Dancing after her battle with stage three breast cancer.
Bosses confirmed that she will be replaced by Lauren Oakley after she was rushed to hospital after she filmed the main show.
The programme previously came under fire from fans as JLS star JB Gill was made to stand alone on the results show.
Now, his next dance – and first with Lauren Oakley – has been revealed on the spin-off, It Takes Two.
The theme for the week is ‘Icons’ and Fleur East ran through the music and each artist that will be featured this weekend.
As part of the BBC Two show, the former X Factor runner-up revealed the songs and type of dance for each couple.
She revealed that JB Gill and Lauren will dance the Couples Choice, to music by smash-hit singer, Bruno Mars.
Going through the list, she explained: “At five, an out of this world Bruno Mars medley for JB and Lauren.
“The American singer’s 24k Magic, put a spell on the 2018 Grammys, scooping seven awards.
“Will his [JB’s] own brand of Uptown Funk bring treasure to their Couple’s Choice?”
Over the weekend, an ambulance was called to Elstree Studios where Strictly is filmed and the 34-year-old was brought to hospital by medics.
A spokesperson for Amy said: “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.”
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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…
Later, a spokesperson for the show said: “Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better and the Strictly family send her love and wish her well.
“She is delighted that fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday’s show for JB Gill’s Couple’s Choice dance.”
They added: “We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week.”
Strictly come Dancing is available to watch on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer.