Strictly's Lauren Oakley has spoken out for the first time since it was announced that Amy Dowden would not be returning to the BBC show. 

The Welsh dancer, 34, who is understood to be in remission from breast cancer and has Crohn's disease, was forced to pull out of last weekend's show after collapsing backstage.

Fellow professional Lauren was drafted in as her replacement to perform with JLS star JB Gill for Saturday's night's show.

And on Monday it was confirmed that the star Amy will not return for the rest of the series, as she recovers from a 'foot injury'.

Following the news, Amy took to Instagram to share a post about her cancer journey and her time on Strictly, praising her partner JB and wishing him and Lauren luck.

And her co-star wrote in the comments: 'This too shall pass. We're still a team. Love you. You did the ground work, I'll carry your partnership forward and hopefully make you proud.'

Amy's full post read: '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,' she continued.

'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,' she added of her partner.

'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,' she added. '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,' she said.

'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.'

She finished off her emotional message: 'JB I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor I'll forever be your biggest cheerleader.'

A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: 'Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year.

'Whilst Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow Professional Dancer, Lauren Oakley, will step in as JB's dance partner.

'The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes.'

Amy was just 32 when, in May last year, she was given the earth-shattering news she had stage 3 breast cancer.

At the time she was filming the BBC series Dare To Dance and said she realised 'something wasn't right'. She found a lump on her breast the day before she was going on a second honeymoon with her husband Benjamin.

Later that year, she was diagnosed again with another unspecified type of cancer and underwent a course of chemotherapy.

Amy returned to hospital in August 2024 for more tests where, finally, she was given the all-clear.

After a year of scandal, BBC bosses were delighted that Amy was able to return to the show following her cancer battle as she was paired with JB.

But during the live Halloween special last month, she was admitted to hospital following a reported collapse at Elstree Studios - the BBC show's Hertfordshire base - after suffering a 'medical emergency' backstage.

Moments before her hospital dash, Amy had performed the Foxtrot to Toploader hit Dancing In The Moonlight with her celebrity partner JB - but fans noted the dancer was partially seated during her latest performance.

On Sunday night's Strictly, viewers watched JB and his temporary partner Lauren Oakley avoid the dance off and make it through to another week.

JB paid a sweet tribute to Amy during Sunday night's results show.

The singer and Lauren soared to joint top of the leaderboard with their couples' choice performance to a Bruno Mars Medley, scoring a near-perfect 39 out of 40.

And as the pair were revealed to be safe for another week, JB looked to the camera and mouthed 'For you, Amy' as he dedicated the performance to the Welsh dancer.