Amy Dowden forced to withdraw from rest of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has sadly been forced to pull out of the competition after sustaining an injury, the BBC has confirmed today.

The Welsh-born professional dancer returned to the BBC show last month after taking a year off amid her battle with breast cancer, being paired with JLS star JB Gill.

Today, however, Dowden is understood to have sustained a severe foot injury, and must pull out of the series.

According to those close to the star, she now plans to 'focus on her recovery'.

"The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes," a spokesperson at the broadcaster added.

She was also taken ill following last week's episode (26 October), and was rushed to hospital from the television studio following a 'medical emergency' backstage.

According to reports at the time, the star became unwell just minutes after she and Gill performed the Foxtrot to Toploader's 'Dancing In The Moonlight' on the Halloween-celebration episode.

Despite bagging an impressive score of 32, she received urgent medical care as a precaution.

A representative for Dowden said last month: "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."

Dowden was paired with JB Gill prior to her injury (BBC)

The East of England Ambulance Service also confirmed in a statement: "We were called just after 9pm 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."

The broadcaster later confirmed that Amy would be returning to the show once she'd recovered, but would be replaced by fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley the following week (2 Nov).

The BBC has now confirmed that Oakley will replace Dowden as Gill's partner throughout the duration of the 2024 series.

Her heartbreaking departure from the series comes a year after she revealed in May 2023 she'd been diagnosed with cancer, and took a year out from performing.

Following a mastectomy, however, Dowden was later informed that her cancer was considered to be in remission, and that she'd be able to return to the show.

And just days prior to the 2024 series kicking off, she told press that doctors had found 'no evidence' of the disease following a recent assessment.

Amy returned to the BBC series after a year off to receive cancer treatment (Instagram/@amy_dowden)

Gushing over fans' support since she revealed her news, she added: "I get so many messages about my smile," she said. "I do always look back and think, ‘Gosh, this time last year I was having chemo, this time last year I was in hospital with a blood clot’.

"What a difference a year can make. I get messages every day from people saying, ‘I’m going through chemo and you’re my hope’, or, ‘Because of you I’ve checked myself and I found a lump’, or something like this.

"I’m just grateful to be back and be in the position I am."