Lauren Oakley addresses Amy Dowden exit as she replaces star on Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly professional Lauren Oakley has broken her silence

Lauren stepped in to take the place of the 34-year-old dancer, who collapsed backstage and was rushed to the hospital during Halloween Special Week on Saturday, October 26.

With Amy unable to perform, Lauren stepped in to take her place and delivered a Couple's Choice routine with JLS star JB Gill.

They danced to a Bruno Mars medley over the weekend and earned an impressive score of 39 points, which was matched by Tasha Ghouri and Alja Škorjanec.

Although she wasn't able to dance, Amy made a return to the studio and shared that she was "feeling much better."

The Strictly pro, who had to miss last year's show while battling cancer but had received the "all clear" to participate in the current series, has now been forced to withdraw for the remainder of the competition to focus on her recovery.

This evening, Monday, November 4, delivered the sad news to fans. She took to her Instagram page to write: "My heart is breaking right now. The past few months I finally felt like me again. Cancer was no longer the first thing I thoughtof when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, whichdances 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. It's been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 too."

Regarding her partnership with JB, she continued: "JB thank you for being the perfect partner back. 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.

"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, 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 the post by saying: "JB I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor. I'll forever be your biggest cheerleader."

After breaking the news to her fans, her fellow co-star Lauren wrote: "This too shall pass. We're still a team. Love you. You did the groundwork, I'll carry your partnership forward and hopefully make you proud."

Meanwhile JB wrote: "Heartbreaking news @amy_dowden but our moments will be forever in strictly history, never forget that. Thank you for being the best teacher. Nothing but love from all of the Gill family."

Last year, Dowden found a lump in her breast while on her honeymoon in the Maldives with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones, and was unable to compete on Strictly.

After treatment for stage three breast cancer including having a mastectomy and chemotherapy, she announced in February that tests showed she had "no evidence of disease". Amy - who also suffers from Crohn's disease - opened up about how she was delighted to return to the show after previously competing in the competition alongside EastEnders star James Bye.