STRICTLY dancer Lauren Oakley has promised to “carry the torch” for Amy Dowden after a medical emergency sparked her sudden exit.

The professional – who has known cancer survivor Amy since she was eight years old – has partnered up with JLS star JB Gill in her co-star’s absence.

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Lauren, 33, appeared on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two last night as she paid tribute to her predecessor.

She told host Janette Manrara: “Leading on from the groundwork Amy’s put in, I just want to carry the torch forward as much as I can because she’s done all the work.

“I want to do the partnership justice and bring my flare to JB as well because he got the best of both worlds working with a couple of professionals.”

Amy broke down in tears as she told fans she is “absolutely gutted” and “heartbroken” to pull out from the show.

She collapsed after the live show on Saturday and was rushed to hospital by ambulance.

The 34-year-old later revealed she suffered an ‘insufficiency stress fracture’ on her shin.

It comes after her sensational return to the BBC show from a year off from breast cancer.

Amy says she is hopeful she will be back dancing “in some capacity” before the series ends next month.

“Unfortunately JB has got to continue and we’ve got the amazing Lauren but hopefully I’ll be back dancing in some capacity, maybe in a group number, by the end of the series. Fingers crossed,” she said.

Amy said she has “spoken a lot to JB” and has praised his ability to pick up choreography quickly.

She then stressed that her injury is “just one of those things” and “could happen to anybody”.

OLYMPIAN, TV star, Hollywood actress, and now a multimillionaire – it’d be an understatement to say that Jennifer Stoute has kept herself busy over the decades.

But despite the jam-packed CV, Jennifer – who 25 years ago starred as Rebel on Gladiators – shows no sign of slowing down.

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Speaking to The Sun, Jennifer has opened up about how the original ITV show saved her when she was left injured and unable to carry on her Olympic dream – and how her new business, which is now worth $7MILLION, saved her once the series came to an abrupt end.

She also reveals how she tore into “obnoxious” Russell Crowe while acting as a chariot driver in Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator… before he brutally chopped her character’s head off.

Born in Bradford in 1965, Jennifer moved down to London when her parents divorced age five, living with her mum and three other siblings.

After moving to Barbados for two years, she came back to London for sixth form and discovered her love of running.

“I wasn’t the most talented youngster – I remember going to London school games and coming last,” she said.

“But I had a vision and determination to want to make the Olympic Games.”

By 1988 Jennifer had made the British Olympic team as part of the 4 x 400m relay, two years after failing to finish in the 200m final at the Commonwealth Games.

Though the team finished sixth, she still remembers it as an “iconic” moment in her life – and she had caught the bug.

“I loved every moment of it. Once I got the feel of it I decided I want to go to another Olympics Games, but this time I actually wanted to get a medal.”

Four years later, that’s exactly what she did – winning a Bronze in Barcelona with a personal best time for the event.

“I remember I was 26, 27 year old and actually saying to myself, I don’t know whether I’ll be around for another Olympic Games because I’ll be 32 years old. 

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“Before the games started I remember putting my T-shirt in my bag and thinking, there’s no way we’re not going to make in the four by four relay team and actually get third place.

“So once we got the medal it was incredible.”

Rebel Yell

After a crippling hamstring injury left her unable to compete, Jennifer remembers finding herself at a loss without track and field in her life – until Gladiators came along. 

“I was kind of in a bit of a bad state,” she recalls.

I remember thinking, I’m a serious athlete, I don’t jump around in lycra

“I was thinking, what am I going to do? I love track and field but I’m not getting myself back into it, and I was getting older. 

After being introduced to the show by Olympians-turned-Gladiator-cast-members Sharron Davies and Derek Redmond, Jennifer was at first sceptical. 

“I remember thinking, I’m a serious athlete, I don’t jump around in lycra – no way I’m going to do this show. 

“I was having a conversation with a couple of others in track and field and they said ‘Jennifer, go for it! Just try it out.’

“I trained and got myself ready, and when I got to the try-outs and was actually picked to be Rebel, I was like wow, amazing!.”

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As Rebel, Jennifer she quickly became a fan favourite – but her three years on the show led to difficulties that were both physical and mental. 

“Every year your body gets beaten and you’re training to stay fit and strong, to be ahead of the game all the time – that was one of the hardest challenges,” she said.

“I find it very difficult coming from a sporting background to be this very glamorous person,” Jeniffer said. 

“It was a big glamour thing, all the make-up, but I wan’t that person – I was an athlete. The make-up thing used to drive me absolutely insane, I was always being told off for not putting it on.

“They made me wear blue eye shadow and red lipstick, and I remember Oprah Winfrey saying that black girls with that combination isn’t the way to go. But there I was.” 

Ulrika looked at me and said, ‘Jen, I think we’re out of a job.’

“(One of the show directors) would say, “Come on, Rebel, be more girly!”. I’d just reply “What the hell is girly?”.”

But there were plenty of laughs on the show too.

“When we did Gladiators I didn’t really know any one’s names; I just knew their stage names,” she said.

“If someone asked me, “Oh, what is Rio’s name?” I’m like, “Ermmmm…I don’t really know. It was quite strange!”

‘Obnoxious’ A-Lister

With legions of fans and a fun – but demanding – role that kept her a familiar face in British living rooms, it came as a shock when, on the way back from a holiday with host Ulrika Jonsson, the news broke that the show was coming to an end – leaving them both without a job.

“I remember Ulrika and I were on a plane, and her agent at the time told her that Gladiators is finished.

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“She looked at me and said, ‘Jen, I think we’re out of a job.’

“I was like, ‘What!?’. I was thinking about getting back to track and field – but I was coming up to 35 so I said to myself, it’s definitely not going to happen.”

Twenty five years on from the show coming to an end, Jennifer and Ulrika are still close friends, reuniting in 2022 on the set of Celebs Go Dating.

Gladiators the TV show was no more – but Hollywood beckoned, and alongside fellow stars of the show Rio and Rocket, Jennifer incredibly bagged a role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator as a chariot archer. 

“They were looking for three black girls,” she recalls. “We were the only three black girls there and we got the part.”

But while she loved the stunt work, she was less impressed with main man Russell Crowe – so unimpressed she ended up giving him a piece of her mind that nearly cost her job.

“I got to speak to Russell Crowe,” she said. “At the time, to be fair, I thought he was a bit too obnoxious. He wanted to race me on the auditorium, but I was like no, I’m not going to do that. 

“We were all messing around and at the time Ridley didn’t want Russell to do a stunt where he had to rear the horse up. They wanted the stunt guy Stuart to do it because he was his stunt double – but Russell was like no no no, I want to do it. 

“He really rears the horse up and he shouts “Come on everybody, how’s that for a motherf***ing stunt?” 

As the star came round to shake the hands of everybody watching, Jennifer recalled the moment she couldn’t hide her frustration any longer.

“I blurted out, “Oh my God, you’re so obnoxious!” – but I didn’t realise I still had my mic on,” she said.

“I’ve never seen somebody who waits for the crowd to kiss his arse at the same time.

“People heard it, and I was like s*** – I thought I’m in big trouble. I could see Ridley walking towards me to say you’re out, you can’t do that to one of our biggest stars. But he shook my hand and carried on walking!”

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At the same time as making Gladiator, Jennifer was due to audition as a presenter on Don’t Try This At Home with Davina McCall – but wasn’t able to try for it when filming ran over schedule, something she remembers as one of her “biggest regrets.”

“I kick myself because I really wanted to do presenting, and then the one opportunity I had I lost. So after that there wasn’t much that came out, other than doing personal experiences.” 

Both Gladiators and the movie had wrapped up, and Jennifer was out on a limb – but she would soon set the stage for a new chapter in her life that’s gone on to rake in millions. 

Alongside her (now ex) husband John, they set up a sports agency with the help of the money saved from Gladiators and her appearance in the film, and went “all in” in making the company a success.

“I think with John and I coming from track and field we understood the work ethic in order to get something – our achievement in the past was one thing but our work and dedication building the company was another thing. We had to give up a lot in terms of spending time with friends or family or going out.”

But for Jennifer it’s all been worth it, thanks to the long-term relationships she’s been able to build with her athletes – and not just because the company is now worth a whopping $7million.

I want to be bigger and more successful than I was in my sporting life and when I was doing Gladiators

“We call ourselves a family because even though we can have an amazing connection with our athletes we don’t take it for granted,” she said.

“Everybody has to make money. But in order to actually be successful you have to be passionate about it, you have to want to have pride in watching it grow and become something – and also have pride in people you’re giving advice to and watch them grow and develop in a world that can be quite brutal sometimes.”

Jennifer’s kids – Alicia, 22, and Rene, 19 – have both inherited her passion for sport, with the younger daughter a GB junior international sponsored by Nike.

And her favourite thing to splash the cash on? A big car – preferably one that’s four-wheel drive.

“I think that symbolises the grander type of life that I’m pushing myself for. I want to be bigger and more successful than I was in my sporting life and when I was doing Gladiators,” she explained.

She added: “When I go to America, I get the biggest four-wheeled drive I can find – I just like that presence, feeling like I’m commanding on the road.”

She’s also excited for Gladiator 2, starring Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal – and revealed she’s been contacted by producers at Paramount.

“I would love to get onto the red carpet,” she admitted. 

“I was contacted by Paramount saying they may use a clip of the old movie of me in a chariot for part of the titles in the cinema. If that happens it’s going to be amazing.”

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PADDY Dingle is set for blackmail horror courtesy of villain Tom King in upcoming Emmerdale scenes.

Played by Dominic Brunt, beloved vet Paddy has been a staple of the ITV soap since 1997.

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However, spoilers for scenes yet to air suggest a trying time for the fan favourite.

Tom King (James Chase) threatens to air Paddy’s dirty laundry in an underhanded bid to get his job back.

Although feeling compromised by the situation, will Paddy give in to the demand?

Scenes aired in September saw Tom suspended from his position at the vets’ surgery.

His wife Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) had courageously come forward about Tom’s abusive behaviour.

With Paddy being part of the extended Dingle family, it’s clear where his loyalties lie.

Throughout this year, viewers have been horrified by scenes of Tom physically and mentally abusing his now-former wife.

He is now slowly being revealed as an abuser and liar who beat and manipulated Belle.

In Tuesday’s (November 5) episode, Tom discovered his plot to gain sympathy by staging attacks on himself had failed.

The instead village came together to burn an effigy of him for Bonfire Night.

His new love interest Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell) warned: “Don’t rise to them Tom, because that’s exactly what they want.”

However, Tom was absolutely incensed, as he raged: “Is it not enough that I got a brick through my window, attacked and now this? 

“Can you believe the absolute gall of that bunch of inbreds?

“I can’t believe they would pull a sick stunt like this.”

He thundered over to the Dingles, demanding to know who was responsible.

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

As various members claimed responsibility, Aaron (Danny Miller) prepared to fight Tom.

However, he quipped: “Oh yeah, I forgot, you only attack women, don’t you?”

Will Tom finally be brought to justice?

Emmerdale continues on ITV and ITVX.

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SPARKLING Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova proves all that glisters is not gold.

The Ukrainian dancer, 35, shimmered in a backstage snap — almost every inch of her covered in a silver bejewelled bodysuit.

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A tasselled cowboy hat topped the lot in Strictly studio at Elstree, Herts.

Nadiya split with fellow Strictly pro Kai Widdrington over the summer after two years of dating.

Following their break-up it was reported that bosses at Strictly were considering banning workplace romances due to the tension it can cause backstage.

The Sun has since revealed that the pair are avoiding each other behind the scenes following their break-up.

A source told The Sun: “It’s painfully obvious Nadiya and Kai are in the awkward post-break up phase and struggling to be near one another.

“Obviously that’s the risk that comes with dating someone at work, so they’re both trying their best to steer clear of each other.

“When the pair are in the Clauditorium, they’re always on opposite sides.

“Although they may have big smiles on their faces when the cameras are running, it’s been very tense between them. 

“They refuse to be near each other at all on set- but there’s not much room up there with all the professionals.

“They just have to do their best to avoid each other every weekend.”

Strictly insiders insist the exes remain “completely professional and cordial” behind the scenes – despite the bitter break up.

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ITV viewers have been stunned by the harrowing new series Until I Kill You, which tells the true story of nurse Delia Balmer’s shocking ordeal of realising her boyfriend of three years was a serial killer.

The series, based on Balmer’s 2017 memoir Living with a Serial Killer, stars Motherland ‘s Anna Maxwell Martin as Balmer and Vigil actor Shaun Evans as serial killer John Sweeney. It depicts everything from the beginning of the pair’s relationship to all the moments Balmer tried to leave Sweeney, up until when he attacked her using an axe.

While episodes have been airing on ITV1 since 3 November, the series is fully available to watch in its entirety on ITVX.

Already, viewers have proclaimed Maxwell Martin’s performance to be the “best” of her career.

“Anna Maxwell Martin is outstandingly good in this. What an actor, able to straddle comedy and serious drama so brilliantly. She should be winning everything (and should have been for a long time),” said one viewer on X/Twitter.

Another said the actor is an “absolute powerhouse” in the series, and is “right up there with the best British actresses”.

“Just watched pt 1 and halfway through pt. 2 tears in my eyes and shouting at the TV. Anna Maxwell Martin MUST GET AN AWARD FOR THIS,” wrote one viewer.

“#DeliaBalmer is a freaking warrior!” said another viewer. “To go through that trauma and be treated appallingly by the Met and survive. I just binged #untilIKillYou because I did not want to stop watching. Every award should go to this production and #AnnaMaxwellMartin is fabulous!”

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Another person praised the series for portraying coercive control in such a nuanced light.

“Until I Kill You is a terrifying watch,” they said. “Coercive relationships are extremely difficult to identify when you’re in one and fooled. My heart goes out to anyone who is trapped in an abusive relationship. Please seek help.”

Balmer and Sweeney met in a pub in London’s Camden in 1991 and instantly got along when they learnt of each other’s love for travelling.

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When their relationship began, Sweeney would gift Balmer flowers and shower her with affection. Balmer later realised that these attempts at showing love were manipulative as he gradually became more controlling and physically abusive as time went on.

Writing in her memoir, Balmer remarked that the changes happened slowly at the beginning. “I should’ve known something was wrong but I am too soft and trusting. I’d never come across anything like it before,” she wrote.

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Balmer attempted to get out of the relationship but she feared for her safety. She briefly left Sweeney in 1994 and changed the locks on her front door. She asked the police to investigate a suspicious bag hidden behind a bathroom panel, which she describes in the book as a “body disposal kit meant for me”.

Despite Balmer’s attempts to warn the police, Sweeney broke into her home and held her hostage for four days, tying her to a bed and threatening her with a gun. When Sweeney did leave the flat, Balmer fled to report what had happened to the police. They arrested Sweeney for holding her hostage but allowed him out on bail.

In harrowing scenes recounted in both the book and series, Sweeney then attacked Balmer with an axe, until she was saved by a neighbour who rescued her by striking Sweeney with a baseball bat.

In the subsequent trial, Balmer said: “He had the axe above his head ready to finish me off. Then the man next door came out and risked his life. I had just curled up ready to go.”

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Sweeney was arrested in 2001 and was given four life sentences for the attempted murder of Balmer, and for having four guns when he was arrested while on the run.

In 2010, while serving this sentence, he was charged with the murder of two women and sentenced to life imprisonment. According to the BBC, authorities believe he may have killed three more women who had gone missing in the area between 1970 and 1990.

The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men’s advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org

AS MAFS nears to an end viewers of the hit dating show have been given a glimpse of the final dinner party, showing that things go from bad to worse between show stars Adam and Polly,

The careers advisor, 28, tied the knot with barber Adam Nightingale, 35, as part of this year’s series of the E4 show.

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But their relationship has been fraught with arguments with Adam admitting Polly isn’t his type and Polly wanting more affection from him.

Now, tempers seem to boil over at the dinner party, as the couple exchange stern words, with barber Adam even pushing his chair over and Polly marching off.

Polly could be heard calling Adam a narcissist after he says to her: “If you’re going to frustrate me and moan at me all day, why would I want to come home and have sex with you?”

He then says: “Narcissist?” after Polly accuses him of being one, before getting up and letting his chair crash to the floor.

After he returns to the dinner table, the couple continue to argue.

Polly ends up storming off, but has some final words for Adam as she stands wine in hand at the end of the table.

She shouts: “You’ve led me on, you’ve f***** me about, and you’ve p***** me right off.”

Their row comes after fans were left convinced Polly and Adam were no more, after two telling signs.

Firstly, Polly was flogging her wedding dress for £1,800 on Vinted at the start of October.

She’s since knocked the price down on the lace Justin Alexander number to £1,130, in a bid to get it sold.

Polly shared a playful message from a potential buyer, who said: “Hiya, hun, does Adam come with the dress?”

Polly replied on her Story by writing: “Coming for you on Vinted now babes,” and tagged Adam.

Then in another split ‘clue’ spotted by fans, Polly shared a beautiful tribute to Adam on Instagram.

Married at First Sight’s best moments

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Married at First sight has brought eight explosive series of drama to the small screen. These are some of the best moments

• When series 8 couple Rozz Darlington and Thomas Kriaras brought secretly brought a sex toy to the couple’s dinner party. Unbeknownst to their fellow cast members who they were having dinner with, Rozz wore a vibrating egg gadget whilst husband Thomas had the controls.

• Nikita’s exit in series 6. Nikita was removed from the show early on due to her behaviour, which led to her husband Ant re-entering the experiment with Alexis.

• A slightly more heart warming highlight from series 6 was watching Dan and Matt’s relationship unfold. Dan and Matt were the first same-sex couple on the show, and their relationship was both ground-breaking and adorable.

• Emma and James’ wedding in series 1. They were the first couple to ever get married on the UK version of the show. Emma and James, had a beautiful ceremony that set the tone for the series.

• The dinner party showdowns are always a MAFs highlight with explosive arguments and unexpected alliances forming.

The post featured a photo of the couple on their wedding day and Polly says: ” I can’t believe I’m writing this because I genuinely didn’t think we’d get here. It’s final dates!

“I just want to say to Adam more than anyone thank you from the bottom of my heart for going through this incredible, once in a lifetime journey with me.

“There really is no one else I’d of wanted to do it with. As much as I wound you up, frustrated you, irritated you, I did also make you laugh, be more vulnerable, smile, be goofy and laugh at all your jokes (some that weren’t even funny )

“I am incredibly proud of Adam’s journey as well because I think it’s clear to everyone boy I pushed that man and he worked at it. But I am also very proud of myself.

“I have worked on things I’ve had troubles with for many years and still battling them now on a daily basis as they’re not just relationship based, they’re deeper than that.

“But to be working on them slowly but surely is better than being ignorant to it.

“Please also remember what you order on your tv’s every night doesn’t even come CLOSE to what we were doing, filming, talking about every day.

“Adam said in his vows that it would be a rollercoaster and my god it has been. But I’d certainly queue again.

She concluded by saying: “Will final vows make us realise what we’ve got or will we crumble at the last hurdle?”

Fans were quick to comment how lovely a couple they were and shower Polly with support but others believed it was a sign that they had split up.

One fan wrote: “One of my favourite couples, but I’m thinking from the way you worded that, that you arnt together now”

Another said: “Ahhhh maaa goodness me! This post you and Adam separate or together ! Mad about you both ! Can’t wait to see it all unfold!”

A third added: “I don’t think you will make it but I so hope I’m wrong!”

But Polly replied: “it’s a reflective post haha, doesn’t give anything away but thank you xx”

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