Amy Dowden left 'crying' as she breaks silence on JB Gill glory amid BBC Strictly withdrawal: 'A tough week'
BBC
The 34-year-old had to take a step back for Icons Week following a health scare
Amy Dowden has been left in tears yet again after a fan pointed out a touching gesture from her dance partner JB Gills during Sunday's results show.
The Welsh dancer had to be replaced this weekend by fellow pro Lauren Oakley after collapsing backstage at the live show one week earlier.
Oakley and Gill brought the house down with the Couple's Choice routine set to the sound of a Bruno Mars medley while Dowden watched on from the sidelines.
Gill did Dowden proud as they achieved the JLS singer's highest score of the series, despite only working with Oakley for a matter of days.
During Saturday's live show, Dowden was left in tears as she watched Gill and Oakley receive their series-high score of 39, with the dancer admitting: "I wish I was down there with you."
On Sunday's pre-recorded results show, Oakley and Gill inevitably sailed through to Week Eight of the competition, avoiding the dreaded dance-off - and the latter couldn't resist letting Dowden know he was thinking about her at that moment.
Amy Dowden was left in tears during Saturday's Strictly
BBC
When Tess Daly announced Gill had made it through to next week's show, the singer stared straight down the camera and mouthed the words: "For you, Amy."
The sweet moment didn't go unnoticed by BBC viewers at home and Dowden herself who took to Instagram soon over to address Gill's sweet nod.
Sharing a clip of the moment on social media, Dowden said of the gesture: "That moment when @jbgill said to camera for you Amy! Yes I'm crying!
"The most genuine, kind, humble, TALENTED SOUL! Thank you partner! This was a week we had been planning and was so so excited about!
Amy Dowden issued a sweet statement after spotting JB Gill's reaction to making it through on Strictly
"I remember us getting the music edit through at the premier and us listening to it both with the biggest smile ever!
"I'm so happy and proud it all came together for you especially after a tough week. What a star and big thanks to @lizzie.gough for the perfect routine, @ginanaomibirch our producer! @laurenmayoakley I'll keeping it forever grateful to you."
Dowden also thanked fans for their support, writing in a separate post: "Thank you so much everyone for voting! But especially to these two superstars @jbgill @laurenmayoakley."
Gill echoed Dowden's kind words when he too took to social media after sailing through to the next stage of the contest.
"Wow! What a weekend," Gill said. "I just want to say thank you to @lizzie.gough & @mrballchange for making my couples choice dance so special.
"You guys allowed @laurenmayoakley and I to shine brightly for @amy_dowden and do everyone proud.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
"To my family and friends and EVERYONE supporting us and voting, you guys are the best and I’m SO HAPPY to continue this amazing journey, whatever challenges it throws at me! Still on cloud 9 and grateful to be through to another week."
Dowden replied to her dance partner: "So proud thank you all for voting! But mostly so proud of you both and forever grateful! @jbgill @laurenmayoakley week 8 woooooohooooooo!!!" (sic)
While Dowden remained upbeat on social media, she was visibly emotional when hearing Oakley and Gill receive their series-high scores of 39.
And her reaction sparked some concern among BBC viewers at home, with many asking if she was okay after returning to the show so soon after her health scare.