JLS singer JB Gill has broken his silence after dance partner Amy Dowden was forced to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing after a medical emergency.

It was confirmed earlier today that Amy had been forced to permanently say goodbye to the BBC contest following a foot injury after she temporarily stood down over the weekend.

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Her celeb partner JB has now issued a sympathetic message to Amy in the wake of the news.

Commenting underneath her Instagram post in which she revealed her exit, a sombre JB said: “Heartbreaking news [Amy] but our moments will be forever in Strictly history, never forget that.

“Thank you for being the best teacher. Nothing but love from all of the Gill family.”

He then went on to share on his own Instagram story: “Heartbroken for you right now [Amy], but like a phoenix you will rise. Isaiah 40:31.”

Earlier today, a spokesperson for the BBC dance contest confirmed that Amy would be replaced by Lauren Oakley who had filled in for her over the weekend.

They said: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year.

“Whilst Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow Professional Dancer, Lauren Oakley, will step in as JB’s dance partner.

“The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes.”

Speaking for the first time on being forced to leave the show via Instagram earlier today, Amy said: “My heart is breaking right now. The past few months I finally felt like me again.

“Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again.

“My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the Strictly dance floor. It’s been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 too.”

She went on to add: “My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and I’ll be soon better and back dancing.

“Something I’ve had to get used to in my life. I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB.”

Her most recent foot injury comes after her fractured foot last November, which occurred whilst rehearsing a dance at home, three days after she finished cancer treatment.

Amy Dowden’s statement in full

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“My heart is breaking right now. The past few months I finally felt like me again. Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again.

“My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the strictly dance floor. It’s been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 too. Which with my incredible team we got there. Something I wanted to do for myself and loved ones.

“There was no feeling like it dancing again in the ballroom with my strictly family. Then I was partnered with the talented,kind, gentle soul JB. Every day our training room was chilled, hardworking and full of big smiles enjoying what we was creating together with a blossoming friendship.

“JB thank you for being the perfect partner back. We topped the leader board week one and continued to work so hard and thank you for being so passionate about understanding the ballroom and Latin fundamentals.

“For me that rumba will always be one of my favs. I’m so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short. My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and I’ll be soon better and back dancing.

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“Something I’ve had to get used to in my life. I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you.

“JB I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader.”

It came after two gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, during which she contracted life-threatening sepsis.

Over the weekend, fans were left in tears as they watched Amy cheer on JB from the clauditorium.

Amy sobbed as Lauren and JB scooped a hugely impressive 39 out of 40 for their routine.

Concerns for Amy’s health first arose when an ambulance was called to the set at Elstree Studios after she collapsed backstage.

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Although the dancer was said to be “doing much better”, BBC bosses confirmed that Lauren Oakley would step in whilst Amy took a week off to recover.

The TV personality has Crohn’s Disease and has been battling stage three breast cancer for almost 18 months.

Strictly 2024 pairings

Here’s who is matched with who this series…

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MARRIED At First Sight’s Sacha and Ross have baffled fans with their ongoing issue about where to move.

On Monday night’s episode, the home stay week continued with Sacha bringing Ross to Walsall to visit her family.

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Sacha was determined to show him the highlights of the area in a bid to make him move there from Manchester.

However, Ross has reservations as his daughter, Blue, is currently living in Manchester and he didn’t want to be too far away from her.

With Sacha wanting to remain closer to her family, it seems the pair have hit a roadblock in making their relationship work.

However, this came as a bit of a shock to viewers – especially when they discovered that Walsall and Manchester is only about an hour-and-a-half drive down the motorway from each other.

As a result, some are accusing them of playing up the issue, wondering why they don’t move somewhere in the middle to make things work.

They also thought they were blowing the issue way out of proportion.

Speaking on X, one fan wrote: “For a bit of context, Walsall and Manchester are a 1 hr 40 mins drive apart – I drive 1 hr 20 mins (each way) to work, twice a week. It’s really not the dealbreaker they are making it out to be!”

“Being from the North of Scotland, I thought the distances Ross and Sacha were talking about were enormous!” said another,

“Then I googled it and realised Manchester and Walsall are a 1 hr 40 min drive apart! That is absolutely nothing!”

“Get a grip, it’s literally down the road… it’s not another country Sasha!!!” said a third.

A fourth joked: “Last time I looked Manchester was 90 mins from Walsall. Not 3 flights, a visitors visa and a malaria injection away.”

“For the love of God it’s like 70 miles from Manchester to Walsall. This is NOT A BIG DEAL,” said a fifth.

“Why don’t Ross and Sacha get a place in between Manchester and Walsall (like Stoke on Trent)?” noted another.

“Then they’d only be an hour from each place. That’s doable, no?”

The pair’s marriage hangs in the balance of the decision, with the final commitment ceremony coming up quickly.

Currently, it looks like nearly all the couples are hanging on by a thread, with Kieran and Kristina returning to their homes alone, and Polly and Adam spending the entire time arguing.

Things didn’t look much brighter for Luke and Amy, who seem to be unable to get through a single conversation without triggering an argument.

A dinner with her friends resulted in Luke declaring himself “a single man” much to the anger of Amy.

Nathan and Lacey appear to be the only couple who could go the distance at this moment in time, with the pair getting closer by the day to the approval of Lacey’s mum.

Married At First Sight UK continues tomorrow at 9pm on E4.

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MAFS bride Amy Kenyon has responded in an emotional statement after her homestays week with groom Luke.

The stunning bride wasn’t seeing eye to eye with Luke after several comments made during the episode.

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Amy was initially grossed out by Luke letting her dog lick him, and she also accused him of ‘lying’ after seeing a photo on his fridge.

Luke had cut the photo to remove a girl from it, but lied to Amy about the gender of the person he’d got rid of.

Then, things went from bad to worse as Luke told Amy she looked ‘bloated’ in a throwback photo of her, and then pointed out mould on the ceiling of her mum’s house.

On social media, while many viewers understood the concerns Amy raised about her relationship with Luke, some others questioned why Amy was getting “so annoyed.”

Viewers hit out at Amy over her disagreements with Luke on the show, as one wrote: “Why is Amy picking on everything Luke does?”

A second said: “Amy has had the ick since the wedding day and is now picking on Luke because she’s mentally checked out.”

But Amy has now taken to social media to share her thoughts on the episode, while admitting it was a difficult watch.

Opening up, the blonde beauty penned: ““From bad, to worse…

“Tonight’s episode will be a difficult one to watch for me. I’m not proud of my behavior or of the person I was pushed to become, I might be over reacting writing this but I look back at this person and remember how I lost me.

“Emotions ran extremely high during home stays, with a lot of tension building up at that point due to things going on behind the scenes, which unfortunately cannot be disclosed out of respect.

“When I visited my home, my mum was really down and didn’t want to be part of the filming. This was when she unintentionally hinted at some tough news regarding my brother, which made an already challenging time even harder.

“Please be kind when watching, to both myself, Luke, and my amazing friends. Remember that what you see is only a few clips from many hours of filming.

“It’s hard to see things being portrayed this way, but at the end of the day, this is the reality of TV, and it’s what I signed up for. I know I’m not demanding, boring, or any of the other things I’ve been called recently by a select few.

“I am a strong woman that knows her worth and doesn’t take s***, I’m also not an actor and never aspire to be.

“The people who know me know the real me, and that’s all that matters ✨

“I hope you enjoy tonight’s episode and watching the rest of mine and Luke’s journey together, we just might surprise you.

“Love, kindness, and positivity to you all and to the judgmental trolls that don’t know me, f*** you.”

As Amy brought Luke to her mum’s home and introduced Luke to her dog, he made himself at home, got down on the floor and let the dog lick his face and mouth.

Amy couldn’t believe what she was witnessing and viewers felt much the same as they flooded social media with their comments.

One person wrote: “Luke, I like you, but that dog behaviour is disgusting.”

A second added: “If someone was licking my dog like that I would be seriously concerned.”

A third said: “Does Luke fancy Amy’s dog or what? This licking is terrible.”

A fourth person echoed: “Luke stop licking that dog ASAP.”

Someone else said: “Luke I didn’t have a bad word to say about you until you let the dog lick you like that.”

Amy complained to the camera about the noises Luke was making as the dog licked him, as Luke let it happen again while laying in bed with Amy in the morning.

As the homestays continued the two also meet up with Amy’s pals.

Amy’s friend asks Luke: “Adult entertainment.. is that what you see yourself doing, even now when you’ve got a wife?”

Speaking to camera, Luke says: “This is definitely an attempt to assassinate my character.”

Awkwardly during the dinner, he adds: “Well.. as of now, I’m a single man,” and puts his ring on the table.

Amy fumes: “You lied. You’re a liar.”

Luke then says to camera: “Maybe it’s not meant to be.”

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The course of English history is often mapped out against its Kings and Queens. The Normans, bringing European modernity to a savage isle; the Plantagenets, turning the nation into an international superpower; the Victorians, industrialising our country into a formidable, globe-spanning empire. It is an easy taxonomy, but one that elides the fact that eras are shaped as much by the power behind the throne as by the royals themselves. That’s where Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, the second and final chapter in the BBC’s adaptation of the late Hilary Mantel’s historical novels, comes in.

Anne Boleyn is dead. After an affair – then marriage – that changed the country, Henry VIII (Damian Lewis) is now wed to Jane Seymour (Kate Phillips) and feverishly anticipating the birth of a male heir. Slinking about behind the king, working as a fixer for the personal, political and religious matters of the day, is Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance), Henry’s “dog”. From his origins as a blacksmith’s son in Putney, Cromwell is now Lord Privy Seal – one of England’s richest men and most eligible bachelors. But his power – once staked to Cardinal Wolsey (Jonathan Pryce), now heavily invested in both Jane and the King’s fraught relationship with Princess Mary (Lilit Lesser) – is a precious commodity. So hard to gain, so easy to lose.

This follow-up to 2015’s acclaimed adaptation of the first two novels in Mantel’s Cromwell trilogy rounds out the saga. While most viewers will know that events will culminate with Cromwell’s head on the chopping block, this is no simple, undulating, rise-and-fall narrative. Instead, the rise seems perpetual, the fall precipitous. Both Mantel and Peter Straughan, who adapts the novels, capture the capricious nature of the Tudor court and the mortal value of favour. “When fortune turns against you,” warns Wolsey, from beyond the grave, “you will feel the lash.” Ignore the temptation to find modern political resonances within this narrative – this is about the fickleness of the human condition. Much as a dearth will eventually lead to a glut, so too must the wheel move back again, and famine follow feast. And Cromwell’s finale is approaching.

“There are no endings,” he cautions, “only beginnings.” And with The Mirror and the Light picking up almost a decade after the acclaimed first volume (released before Mantel rounded out the trilogy) there is some reorientation necessary. The cast has shifted (Tom Holland is off Spidermanning now, while Timothy Spall stands in for the late Bernard Hill) and most returning characters have aged dramatically, even if Thomas Brodie-Sangster still appears to be getting younger. The internecine politics of the 16th-century court might be as murky as the lighting, but things quickly resolve around one central question: can Cromwell hold on? Enemies and advocates alike have fallen: Wolsey is gone, Anne Boleyn is gone, Thomas More is gone. Rylance, who is one of the great actors of the facial mask, gives nothing and everything away in a single look. His Cromwell is a man who knows the precariousness of his station, who sees his mistakes and triumphs for what they are. “I’m a good dog,” he declares. “If you set me to guard something, I’ll do it.” Yet it is the loyalty that made him that will undo him.

Mantel’s books are a staggering literary achievement; no popular historical novels have achieved the interiority that she managed with Cromwell. This series attempts to mimic that through a non-linear timeline that is constantly suggestive, if not revealing. Why is Cromwell drawn to specific memories at specific times? Why is his mentor, Wolsey, appearing now to remind him of his own downfall? For a man who has always operated in the shadows, he is now living in the gloom of foreshadowing. Without the benefit of Mantel’s prose or access to the fragmented Cromwell psyche, it is as much as the show can do to elevate itself beyond The Tudors, The White Queen, or The Spanish Princess. And even if the eventual product is inferior to its source, the story is still riveting and the telling still mature and dynamic.

“You feel the axe’s edge,” Princess Mary tells Lord Cromwell, in the meeting that will eventually undo him. Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light is built on that premise. Rylance’s central performance grounds the show – keeps it from floating off into the existential troposphere – but the charge remains. This is a story about history, as conducted by long-dead mortals, and about how the urgency of the present fossilises into the immutable past. All that – and it’s also a bloody fun story about trying not to get your head chopped off.

STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse has admitted Amy Dowden will be “deeply missed” after she was forced to quit the contest.

It was revealed today that Amy would no longer be partnering JB Gill on the programme owing to a recent medical emergency.

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Amy missed last weekend’s show and was replaced by Lauren Oakley and now the change has been made permanent as she recovers from a foot injury.

Sharing her sympathies towards the star, judge Motsi shared a heartfelt message in which she sent “strength” to the star.

Commenting underneath Amy’s Instagram post, Motsi said: “Dear Amy, your courage and strength inspire us all.

“Taking this step to focus on your health is the most beautiful act of self-care and resilience.

“Know that the entire Strictly family and everyone who loves you are with you every step of the way.

“We miss you deeply on the dance floor, but your well-being is what matters most.

“Sending you all my love, support, and strength as you take this time for yourself.

“Can’t wait to see you shining bright again when you’re ready. Love, Motsi.”

Today, it was confirmed that the medical emergency had forced Amy out of the contest for good.

Amy, who has Crohn’s Disease and has been battling cancer, missed the results programme last week after she was rushed to hospital.

Breaking her silence earlier this evening, Amy said: “My heart is breaking right now. The past few months I finally felt like me again.

“Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again.

“My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the Strictly dance floor. It’s been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 too.”

She went on to add: “My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and I’ll be soon better and back dancing.

Amy Dowden’s statement in full

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“My heart is breaking right now. The past few months I finally felt like me again. Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again.

“My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the strictly dance floor. It’s been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 too. Which with my incredible team we got there. Something I wanted to do for myself and loved ones.

“There was no feeling like it dancing again in the ballroom with my strictly family. Then I was partnered with the talented,kind, gentle soul JB. Every day our training room was chilled, hardworking and full of big smiles enjoying what we was creating together with a blossoming friendship.

“JB thank you for being the perfect partner back. We topped the leader board week one and continued to work so hard and thank you for being so passionate about understanding the ballroom and Latin fundamentals.

“For me that rumba will always be one of my favs. I’m so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short. My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and I’ll be soon better and back dancing.

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“Something I’ve had to get used to in my life. I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you.

“JB I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader.”

“Something I’ve had to get used to in my life. I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB.”

Her most recent foot injury comes after her fractured foot last November, which occurred whilst rehearsing a dance at home, three days after she finished cancer treatment.

It came after two gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, during which she contracted life-threatening sepsis.

Over the weekend, fans were left in tears as they watched Amy cheer on JB from the clauditorium.

Amy sobbed as Lauren and JB scooped a hugely impressive 39 out of 40 for their routine.

One fan was quick to take to the Strictly forum and wrote: “Amy’s putting on a brave face but she looks crushed. It’s making me cry.”

Strictly Amy’s cancer ‘nightmare’

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.

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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.

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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…

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New York State Assembly member Harvey Epstein has responded to comedian John Mulaney playing him in a Saturday Night Live sketch.

The skit, which aired on Saturday (November 2), revolved around Epstein’s efforts to convince voters that he has no relation to notorious sex offenders Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein.

The real Epstein, who is currently running for a seat on New York City Council, showed his approval for the sketch by reposting it on social media, with a caption referencing its closing line: “I agree with John [Mulaney]… let’s not call it Epstein’s Island.”

In an interview with local magazine City & State New York, Epstein said: “I think it went over very well, and I’m glad we can all make fun of ourselves in a way that – to bring joy to the world.”

However, he did take a moment to reflect on the horrific crimes underlying the joke. “It’s really critical that I take the joy out of the joke and also be serious about issues of domestic violence,” he said, adding that Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein are “two horrible human beings.”

Epstein said he was taken by surprise by the sketch when it aired, but that he wouldn’t be against appearing on the long-running comedy series in the future. “I totally would do that,” he said.

The politician said that there was some truth to sketch, noting that while on the campaign trail he had occasionally been asked whether he was related to either Harvey Weinstein or Jeffrey Epstein. He also said he felt his unexpected SNL appearance might raise his profile.

“I think it definitely makes more people aware of who I am,” he said. “But luckily, I have high name recognition in my district already.”

As for Mulaney’s portrayal, Epstein thought he did a good job. “John Mulaney was wearing earrings, he had a bald head, he was wearing the clothes I wear a lot – so I think he did those pieces right,” he said.

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The spoof campaign video wasn’t the only political element of Saturday’s show. Elsewhere in the episode, Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance during the cold open, poking fun at Donald Trump’s garbage truck struggle.

The vice president, who has been played on the 50th season of the comedy show by Maya Rudolph, flew to New York City on Saturday evening after a campaign event in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Harris made the unscheduled stop while on her way to Detroit, Michigan, with Air Force Two landing at LaGuardia Airport in Queens. It was the final episode of the show before Election Day on Tuesday, November 5.

Since then, a commissioner with the Federal Communications Commission – a government agency that regulates radio and television in the US – has said that the appearance may have violated its “equal time” rule.