Amy Dowden Speaks Out: Navigating JB Gill's Routine Amid Controversial Judge Critiques!

Strictly's Amy Dowden: A Bittersweet Encore

This Saturday, the spotlight was shining brightly on JB Gill, Amy Dowden's celebrity partner, as he made quite the splash on the Strictly stage. Not exactly the type of splash Amy was hoping for, given her recent medical woes, but let's not dwell on the gloom, shall we? After all, this is a story about dance, resilience, and yes, a sprinkle of that notorious British humor.

Just a week ago, Dowden, at the grand age of 34, found herself being whisked away to the hospital after an unexpected collapse during the Halloween festivities of Strictly. I suppose even professional dancers aren't immune to those mortifying "whoops" moments. While she may have been forced out of the competition, thankfully, she confirmed she’s “feeling good.” However, she lamented the ongoing saga of recuperation that means she won’t be catapulting her way through the competition any time soon.

In a delightful twist of fate, JB was granted the chance to dance with Strictly pro Lauren Oakley—at least he didn't have to tango solo! And much to Gill's credit, he soared to the top of the leaderboard this week. With the enthusiasm of a proud mama bear, Dowden couldn’t hold back her excitement on Instagram: “So proud! Told you from day one samba was going to be incredible, and it was!” Who knew samba could stir such passion? I mean, if you can't samba after falling ill, when can you?

In her bittersweet farewell, Dowden added: “Gutted I can’t be there dancing with you but you and Loz (Oakley) were fabulous!” It’s the perfect mix of heartfelt sentiment and that cheeky British way of saying, “I’m slightly jealous, and yes, I’ll still call you fabulous!”

Responding with gratitude, Gill posted back, “So glad we did you proud!! You were right! Loved every second, Thank you Ams.” Who knew we’d get a glimpse into the cozy corner of dance partnerships? A bond forged not just in competition but in shared trials, tribulations, and all those glitzy outfits!

They danced a Samba to the rhythm of “Mas Que Nada” by Sérgio Mendes, and by all accounts, the judges were positively swooning. With three nines gracing their scorecard and head judge Anton Du Beke raising the elusive 10 paddle, it seemed JB was indeed dancing like nobody was watching. “I am stunned... Man alive, did you bring it!” Du Beke declared, and can we just take a moment to appreciate the theatrics?

Craig Revel-Horwood, in his typically lively fashion, pronounced that the “JB” in Gill's name now stands for “jolly brilliant.” Now that's a title one can live up to! Motsi Mabuse elevated Gill to the pantheon of Samba royalty, placing him alongside dance titans like 2019 champion Kelvin Fletcher—a true honor, indeed.

But the pièce de résistance came from head judge Shirley Ballas, who proclaimed that Gill had brought a “Brazilian party” to the Strictly dancefloor. It’s as if she knows how to sprinkle just the right amount of glitter on every performance, singing praises while reminding us that Dowden set the stage for this dazzling moment.

It’s worth noting, too, that Dowden's journey has been nothing short of Herculean. After bravely facing stage-three breast cancer, chemotherapy, and a heap of dramas that could rival any soap opera—hint: Crohn's disease added to the list—she was finally met with good news. Dowden, armed with her fierce spirit, announced scans showed “no evidence” of her breast cancer. And if that isn't brilliant news worthy of a slow dance, I don’t know what is!

So here’s to Amy Dowden, celebrated dancer, cheerleader extraordinaire, and the embodiment of resilience, all while being the kind of friend who makes you feel like a star, even when the dance floor lights dim just a little too soon.