Strictly’s Jowita Przystał breaks silence on Amy Dowden’s hospital dash as star is forced to miss a week of show
STRICTLY star Jowita Przystał has broken her silence on Amy Dowden’s hospital dash, after it was revealed she’d miss a week of the show.
The Welsh pro, who has Crohn’s Disease and has been battling cancer for almost 18 months, is said to be “doing much better” but will be unable to return this week to Strictly, after collapsing during Saturday night’s show.
And appearing on This Morning on Wednesday morning, Jowita broke her silence on her fellow pro dancer and said “we’re all gutted.”
Alison asked Jowita if there was any update on Amy, to which Jowita continued to confirm that Amy won’t be returning to the show this week after her blue light dash.
She added: “We’re all gutted but her health is the most important thing.
“She’s taken care of now by the team and we’re all sending her all our love and hope she’ll get better soon and come back to us.”
Lauren Oakley, 33, will step in to partner JB Gill, 37, during training and Saturday’s show.
On Saturday Amy’s condition was so serious that the fire service were called and specialist equipment used to help her to an ambulance while keeping her completely flat.
She was unable to appear in the recording of the live show, which aired on Sunday night.
Instead hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly explained to viewers at home: “Before we get started, Amy isn’t able to be with us for tonight’s show.”
JB was seen standing alone on the staircase. When it was announced he was going through to next week, he smiled and said “Thank you” to cheers.
A Strictly insider said: “Amy was obviously in huge distress. “Everyone around her was equally upset because they felt so helpless.
“JB had to be given a hug. Even the medic who first attended to Amy needed support and consolation. The only thing they could do was try to get her to hospital as quickly and safely as possible.”
For the Halloween Special, Amy and JB dressed as scarecrows and performed to Dancing In The Moonlight by Toploader at 7.18pm.
It’s understood Amy started to feel ill minutes after she and JB received a 32 out of 40 score from the judges at 7.25pm.
Amy cheered and jumped up and down when Motsi gave them a 9, and screamed when she got an 8 from Anton.
Amy was still seen standing and smiling with JB in the final line-up at around 8.10pm.
By 9pm an ambulance had been called and at 9.50pm the fire service were also contacted to assist.
Amy has talked at length about the excruciating pain she suffers as a result of her Crohn’s, an inflammatory disease of the digestive system often brought on by stress.
Her spokesman said this week: “Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution. She’s feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern.”