STRICTLY Come Dancing star JB Gill has opened up on his “surreal” rehearsals with Lauren Oakley after his professional partner Amy Dowden pulled out due to illness.
The JLS hitmaker, 37, will perform a Couple’s Choice routine to a series of Bruno Mars tracks on tonight’s live BBC show.
Yet Strictly Come Dancing bosses this week confirmed JB‘s partner Amy Dowden, 34, would be replaced both for rehearsals and the live show following her collapse last week.
The Welsh dancer, who has Crohn’s Disease and has been battling cancer, missed the results programme last week after she was rushed to hospital.
The medical drama – which happened shortly after the live episode aired – saw BBC star Lauren Oakley, 33, step in as Amy‘s replacement.
The pair opened up on their first week of training together on Friday’s It Takes Two.
Lauren told the Strictly spin-off show how the duo were “starting afresh” with the footwork as it was choreographed by an external dancer.
She said: “We both came in on Monday on a level playing field, so we were both learning the routine.
“It was nice to make that progression together.”
Eyes Wide Shut singer JB then added of his rehearsals without Amy: “I mean it was surreal obviously.
“Because I am very much used to working with Amy, although there have been times we have had to work with Lauren.
“Lauren’s lovely, she’s amazing, she’s an incredible dancer.
“Of course we have been watching her do the group numbers and so on through the series so far.
“For me it was just a case of we’ve got Lizzie [choreographer] and it’s a completely different style of dance as well, so I feel there was less pressure, certainly on Lauren, and on both of us in terms of executing the dance.
“It was fun for us to let go and be in the moment and to enjoy the music, thats what its all about.”
During the same show Amy, who joined the duo on the It Takes Two sofa, gave a health update after her ordeal.
The Sun's Jamie Downham takes a look at the beloved Strictly star's ups and downs...
AS Strictly Come Dancing viewers know, you’ll struggle to catch Amy Dowden without a huge smile on her face.
But recently the Welsh star – one the best-rated Ballroom and Latin American professional dancers the UK has ever produced – has suffered a string of “nightmare” blows to her health.
She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year and underwent a full mastectomy, before having chemotherapy towards the end of 2023.
However, she later reported docs had found a clot on her lung, telling fans sadly: “Unfortunately I’ve had another nightmare this week.”
Nonetheless, brave Amy, seen here dancing with James Bye, made an epic return to Strictly the following month with an appearance that left many viewers in floods tears.
As 2024 dawned, she admitted: “I feel I was robbed of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry.”
However, she was soon smiling again. Amy, her hair starting to grow back after her cancer treatment, was seen messing around with her co-stars Dianne Buswell and Vito Coppola on the Strictly tour earlier this month.
And despite another spell in hospital in February, she still mustered a cheeriness many would struggle for, telling fans: “The sun is shining – and I certainly can’t wait for Spring.”
And we certainly can’t wait to see you dancing again, Amy…
She also revealed the sweet way the She Makes Me wanna singer and Lauren have supported her through her show break – with the help of a WhatsApp group.
Earlier this week, we reported how JB’s bandmate Aston Merrygold – who starred on Strictly in 2017 – suggested his pal would be under “pressure” due to the partner change.
He spoke out on Thursday’s Lorraine as he offered some sage advice to JB.
He told Lorraine Kelly‘s stand-in host Ranvir Singh: “It is him and Lauren.
“For him, obviously having to switch partners last minute, that whole thing is going to obviously play a big part on pressure.
“Sending lots of love to Amy as well,” before giving a wave to the camera.
When asked what more his Beat Again bandmate could bring to the table, Aston said: “I think for J now it’s bringing out the personality a bit more.
“I think we have only scratched the surface of JB.”
