BBC Strictly star JB Gill says dancing without Amy is 'surreal' and shares difference with Lauren

Strictly Come Dancing star JB Gill has spoken of the 'surreal' feeling of dancing with another person after his partner fell ill. The JLS star has been performing with professional dancer Amy Dowden.

But she fell ill following a live performance at the weekend and was taken to hospital. As a result, the 34-year-old has missed rehearsals this week as she recovers and has temporarily been dancing with Lauren Oakley.

It comes following Amy'streatment for breast cancer which resulted in her missing the series last year, The Mirror has reported.

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Talking about his partnership with Amy, JLS star JB said during an appearance on BBC Radio 2: "We’ve been able to build an incredible rapport over the last six / seven weeks and it’s been great going to the training room with her and working on the new routine and, you know, for me, learning different styles - whether it’s a Ballroom style or new Latin style - and then watching that process sort of, as it builds, into the show that we put on, on the Saturday night.

"So, to not have her in rehearsals this week has been a bit surreal. But you know, the best thing […] is that she’s taken some time to get better. We’re obviously wishing her all the best as she recovers.” The singer also spoke about working with Lauren.

The 37-year-old continued: "Well, of course everybody’s different and especially when you’re doing partner work - Amy’s slightly shorter than Lauren, you know, there are little sort of bits and pieces that are different for each of them. So for me coming into that and not, obviously, being a professional, it’s just about having to adapt to how they dance.

"The good thing about this week is that I’m doing my couples choice, so it’s not so much Ballroom hold or Latin partner work and lifts and so on. It’s gonna be a bit more, I guess, individual side by side, because it’s icons week this weekend on the show and we’re gonna have a chance to express ourselves together. So actually, I feel like it’s gonna be a good way for me to approach obviously the changes that we’ve had this week.”

Following Amy's absence at the weekend, JB shared: "On behalf of both @amy_dowden and I, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for voting for us and wishing us well. We absolutely loved our performance on Saturday night and are so grateful to be through to another week on @bbcstrictly Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support."

A spokesperson for Amy said: "Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution. She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern. We request Amy’s privacy in matters of health is kindly respected."

The BBC explained that "due to unforeseen circumstances" Amy was "unable" to be part of the episode, which is recorded on Saturday after the live show.

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