BBC Strictly’s Amy Dowden was reportedly in such a serious condition on Saturday night that fire crews were called to the scene. The professional dancer will be absent from this weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing, with Lauren Oakley stepping in to partner J B Gill.
Dowden was rushed to hospital during Saturday night’s live show after collapsing backstage. She returned to the BBC talent show this year after missing the previous series due to a breast cancer diagnosis.
Her condition was so serious that the fire service were called and specialist equipment used to help keep her completely flat, according to reports. A spokesperson for the dancer told BBC News: “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 further requested respect for Amy’s privacy regarding her health.
The 34-year-old Welsh dancer was taken to hospital after an ambulance was called to Elstree Studios, in Borehamwood, during the show. An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed: “We were called just after 21.00 BST on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.”, reports Birmingham Live.
“An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet hospital for further care.”
Welsh Amy, who is a Pride of Birmingham Awards regular, opened up last year about how close she came to losing her life to sepsis during her cancer treatment. Amy, who runs a dance school in Birmingham, described herself as “very unlucky” to have picked up the infection.
Dowden told Hello! magazine that two days after chemotherapy treatment on 3 August, she went for a walk with her parents, Gillian and Richard.
“The Strictly producers were checking in on me, and I was sending videos of me on my walk. I couldn’t believe how good I was feeling,” she said