STRICTLY dancer Amy Dowden has been forced to bow out of the contest after a blue light dash to hospital following her collapse during Saturday night’s show.

The Welsh pro, who has Crohn’s Disease and has been battling cancer for almost 18 months, was last night said to be “doing much better” but will be unable to return this week. 

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Lauren Oakley, 33, will step in to partner JB Gill, 37, during training and Saturday’s show.

Bosses will then take a view on Amy’s condition. 

A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: “Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better and the Strictly family send her love and wish her well. 

“She is delighted that fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday’s show for JB Gill’s Couple’s Choice dance. 

“We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week.”

Amy’s condition was so serious that the fire service were called to Elstree Studios and specialist equipment used to help her to an ambulance while keeping her completely flat.

She was unable to appear in the recording of the second half of the show, which aired last night.

JB was seen standing alone on the staircase. When it was announced he was going through to next week, he smiled and said “Thank you” to cheers.

This weekend JB and Lauren will perform a dance to a medley of Bruno Mars’ hits for the special themed week around Icons. 

Lauren partnered Krishnan Guru-Murthy last year but failed to appear on the main show partnerships for 2024.

She stood by under fire dancer Giovanni Pernice, 33, during the probe into his behaviour on the show, performing on his solo theatre tour. 

For the Halloween Special, Amy and JB dressed as scarecrows and performed to Dancing In The Moonlight by Toploader at 7.18pm.

It’s understood Amy started to feel ill minutes after she and JB received a 32 out of 40 score from the judges at 7.25pm.

Amy cheered and jumped up and down when Motsi gave them a 9, and screamed when she got an 8 from Anton.

Strictly Amy’s cancer ‘nightmare’

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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.”

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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.”

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And we certainly can’t wait to see you dancing again, Amy…

Amy was still seen standing and smiling with JB in the final line-up at around 8.10pm.

By 9pm an ambulance had been called and at 9.50pm the fire service were also contacted to assist.

No pro dancer has ever dropped out of Strictly in its 20 years.

Amy,  from Caerphilly in South Wales, has talked at length about the excruciating pain she suffers as a result of her Crohn’s, an inflammatory disease of the digestive system often brought on by stress, which she has battled since she was a teenager.

Following a mastectomy, she was told the tumours had spread and was diagnosed with cancer for the second time that July.

But she was given the all-clear to return to Strictly for this series.

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Professional wrestling legend Ric Flair has shared his emotional reaction to the death of his stepson, Sebastian Kidder, who was 24.

Kidder died by suicide on Saturday (October 26), his mother Wendy Barlow confirmed to TMZ. The following day, 75-year-old WWE Hall of Famer Flair (real name Richard Morgan Fliehr) shared a post to Instagram reflecting on the rising musician’s untimely passing.

“I Have Spent Hours Wondering What To Say. After Hearing The News Of Sebastian’s Passing,” he began the lengthy caption. “I Can Only Imagine What Wendy @thewonderouswendy & Paul Are Going Through Having Lost A Son Approximately The Same Age In 2013. I Know The Pain Of Your Loss Will Be With You The Rest Of Your Life.”

Flair’s son Reid died in March 2013 at age 25 following an accidental drug overdose. He was discovered in a hotel room in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“I Still Every Day Of My Life Think About Reid As You Will Continue To Think About Sebastian,” he continued. “You Can’t Blame Yourselves As I Blamed Myself For Making Reid My Best Friend Instead Of Being A Good Parent. Sometimes We Get So Close To Our Kids, We Forget That They Need Us In So Many Different Ways.

The professional wrestler went on to share how “thankful” he was “for the time” he shared with Kidder.

“I Have So Many Great Memories & Bonding Time With Him As He Grew Up! He Stood Tall By His Mother Along With The Whole Family- Sophia, Paris, And Summer, While I Was Dying. He Was So Unselfish Sharing His Mother With Me As I Was Dying. And Also, At The Passing Of My Son Reid.

“He Was Multi-Talented & In Everybody’s Eyes A Huge Success And Will Always Be Remembered That Way. I’m So Sorry! Wendy, Please Stay Strong & Don’t Let Anything Deter You From All Your Successful Endeavors You Have In Place In The Future. God Bless You Both! Rest In Peace Sebastian! 🙏🏻 @sebastianonthemic,” Flair concluded the post.

Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. In a statement, his mother told TMZ: “I am devastated and shocked. This is an epidemic with your young men and mental health.”

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Fidder is the son of Barlow from a previous relationship. However, Flair had been a fixture in the musician’s life for more than a decade before he married Barlow; she played “Fifi the Maid” alongside Flair at World Championship Wrestling (WCW) events. While Flair and Barlow held a Florida wedding ceremony in 2018, they later told People that they never obtained a marriage certificate.

Flair announced their separation in September after 13 years together. The pair previously announced they were separating in January 2022, but reconciled in May of that year. He thanked Barlow for her support during his 2017 health crisis when he was hospitalized for stomach pains. He later suffered early stages of kidney failure and near-congestive heart failure, prompting doctors to remove part of his bowel and insert a pacemaker.

“Wendy And I Enjoyed 13 Great Years. As With Every Couple, We Have Experienced Our Ups And Downs,” Flair shared in a social media statement on September 23. “I Think It’s Important For Everyone To Know Right Now That We Have Decided To Part Ways Respectfully.”

“I’ll Never Ever Be Able To Thank Her Enough For Standing By My Side Through My Terrible Health Crisis In 2017. She Never Left My Side! And For That I Will Always Be Grateful!”

“We Both Are Working On Different Projects At The Current Time & It Becomes Difficult With My Schedule & Her Schedule To Make This Work,” Flair concluded. “I Wish Her The Best Of Luck With Her Projects, And I Know That She Supports Mine!”

Kidder released his debut album, Under The Moon, in July. He made an appearance on Good Day Atlanta in June, in which he spoke about growing up with the WWE legend.

“Growing up with Ric as a stepdad, it was very different, very unique, that’s for sure,” Kidder said. “You go out for a family meal and you’re just surrounded by fans and you’re already exposed to that at an early age, everybody coming up, wanting pictures, autographs, stuff like that.”

Barlow is also mother to three daughters. Meanwhile, Flair has been married four times. He welcomed two children – daughter Megan and son David – with his first wife of 12 years, Leslie Goodman. He shares another daughter, Ashley, and his late son Reid with his second wife, Elizabeth Harrell.

His daughter Ashley signed with the WWE in 2012, adopting the ring name Charlotte Flair. On X/Twitter, she subtly reacted to Kidder’s death by posting a prayer hands emoji, a broken heart emoji, and a dove emoji.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org.

CLARKSON’S Farm star Lisa Hogan showed off her incredible figure during a wild swim.

As Jeremy Clarkson‘s partner, Lisa makes regular appearances on the hit Prime Video series.

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Taking to Instagram, the Irish-born actress shared a clip showing her going for a swim.

She captioned the post: “Chances of @jeremyclarkson1 joining me?”

One fan commented: “We men of a certain age don’t like cold water.”

Another added: “I think he’d be happy to WATCH you. I don’t think he’d participate.”

While a third shared: “He should, it’s good for you.”

It comes as Jeremy is on the mend following a recent health scare.

The former Grand Tour host was rushed to hospital after he started experiencing clammy hands and a tightness in his chest.

After arriving, doctors found one of his arteries was completely blocked and another was “heading that way”.

As a result, he had to have a stent inserted into the blocked artery to keep it open and restore blood flow to the heart.

Since then, Jeremy revealed his new lifestyle changes in his column for The Sun about his new lifestyle changes.

He wrote: “Literally, I am not allowed to have fun any more.

“I must live in a ­Liberal ­Democrat, holier-than-thou fog of weeds, seeds and yoga. This is terrifying.

“And if I go to a party, I must stand in a corner, nursing some refreshing elderflower juice, before going home at about 9.30. That’s ­terrifying too.”

Meanwhile, Jeremy’s co-star Kaleb Cooper has also joined the clean-living revolution – but for a different reason.

Although Kaleb has slimmed down by nearly a stone, it is not motivated by health reasons.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun ahead of the launch of his new book, It’s A Farming Thing, the star revealed: “I’m on a no-sugar thing, and it’s all because I had this dream.

“I did and didn’t understand the dream, but I knew I had to quit sugar.

Meet the cast of Clarkson’s Farm

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Clarkson’s Farm began streaming in 2021 and follows Jeremy Clarkson and his team managing Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds. Here’s a ‘who’s who’ of faces in the Clarkson’s Farm cast.

• Jeremy Clarkson: Presenter and journalist; also known for Top Gear, The Grand Tour and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
• Lisa Hogan: A former actress and Jeremy’s partner, who assists in the running of the farm shop.
• Kaleb Cooper: A young farm worker from Chipping Norton, who forms a double act with Jeremy on-screen. He’s later promoted to farm manager in series three.
• Gerald Cooper: Specialist in the construction and maintenance of dry stone walls and the farm’s “head of security”. Of no relation to Kaleb.
• Charlie Ireland: Nicknamed “Cheerful Charlie”, a professional land agent who advises Jeremy on land management.

“I went to tell Taya [his ­partner] and she thought I wouldn’t do it.

“I’m four weeks in now, and I’ve lost six kilos, which is pretty good.

“I do have the odd cheat day, but only sugars that naturally occur.”

Clarkson’s Farm is available to stream on Prime Video.

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STRICTLY fans were first to spot Amy Dowden didn’t seem herself the week before she collapsed.

The professional dancer was dramatically rushed to hospital after the incident that happened backstage on Saturday night.

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The ballroom and Latin American dancer and JLS singer JB Gill performed a foxtrot to Dancing In The Moonlight by Toploader on Saturday (October 26) night’s Halloween week show, scoring 32.

The dancer was absent from the Sunday night results show, however, after being rushed to hospital.

Many fans had already taken to Reddit to discuss how tired she looked the weekend before, with many questioning if she had returned to TV screens too soon.

One fan said: “Amy looked extremely tired – perhaps for obvious reasons.”

“That poor woman has been to hell and back with her health all her life – particularly in the last year…I can’t help but feel maybe it was a touch too soon for her?”

Another fan agreed it was too soon for the pro, commenting: “I think Amy rushed back … but didn’t take into consideration how gruelling it would be just a year after such aggressive cancer treatment.”

“Someone in charge should have put their foot down.”

Another commented: “She’s had multiple health issues. A broken foot, sepsis, blood clots etc … can’t help but feel she came back too soon.”

The pro has been battling cancer for the last 18 months.

Amy revealed her stage three breast cancer diagnosis in May 2022 after discovering a lump before flying to the Maldives with her husband, Ben Jones.

The diagnosis meant she missed the 2023 show while she underwent gruelling Chemotherapy, which saw her lose her hair.

The much-loved dancer, who also suffers from Crohn’s disease, finished chemotherapy in November 2022 before returning to Strictly Come Dancing for the 2024 series.

Following her recent health scare, The Sun revealed that professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, 33, will replace Amy for Monday’s rehearsals while she recovers.

A source said: “Lauren will be stepping in today to train with JB.”

“It’s unclear when Amy will be back but everyone just wants her to rest and get better.”

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Former professional wrestler and actor Hulk Hogan struggled with a routine he has performed throughout his career during a surprise appearance at a Trump rally.

Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, has become an outspoken supporter of Trump in the current election campaign, even going as far as to joke about body slamming Kamala Harris and questioning her ethnicity.

The former WWE champion, 76, was a surprise speaker at the rally in Madison Square Garden, which also controversially featured appearances from Dr Phil and comedian Tony Hinchcliffe.

In typically over-the-top fashion, Hogan made his entrance to his “Real American” theme song while waving the American flag.

He then attempted to rip his shirt from his own chest, a routine that he has done since the 1980s but got into a real tussle with the top.

In what has previously been a seamless act for the grappler, Hogan got into a real tussle with the neck of the shirt which appeared to go on for an eternity.

Eventually, Hogan got the better of the garment and ripped it in two to reveal a Trump shirt underneath.

His performance has largely been mocked on social media. “An elderly Hulk Hogan struggling to rip his shirt off is such a perfect metaphor for the Trump campaign,” wrote one person.

Another said: “I sincerely feel bad for anyone who grew up with Hulk Hogan as their GOAT.”

A third added: “Pretty funny that Hulk Hogan can’t pull off his shirt. Things are getting pretty geriatric in Trump world.”

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A fourth told Hogan to “hang it up, brother!”

Hogan did go on to give a rousing speech to Trump’s fans, defending them against accusations of racism. “You know something, Trump-a-maniacs? I don’t see no stinking Nazis in here. I don’t see no stinking domestic terrorists in here,” said the Rocky III star.

“The only thing that I see in here are a bunch of hard-working men and women that are real Americans, brother. You know what I hear in my president and our president Donald Trump, he sounds for real, brother.”

He also took an opportunity to take a swipe at Harris, saying “when I hear Kamala speak, it sounds, yeah, it sounds like a script from Hollywood with a really, really [spitting sound] bad actress!”

Trump’s use of the likes of Hogan and Kid Rock for his campaign has been ridiculed by the likes of Pete Buttigieg. In July, the transport secretary said: “If your party has been systematically against unions, against a higher minimum wage, against things like paid family leave, against overtime, then just because you found Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock and put it on stage doesn’t make you a friend of the working man.”

EMMERDALE actress Ursula Holden-Gill was last seen in the ITV soap nearly twenty years ago.

The soap actress, who played Emmerdale‘s Alice Dingle, first arrived in the Dales in 2004 and was a firm favourite with viewers.

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Married to Sam Dingle, played by James Hooton, she was a loving wife and a doting mum to son Samson.

Yet tragedy struck and ITV viewers and soap fans were left broken hearted when Alice tragically passed away in 2006 after being diagnosed with cancer whilst pregnant.

The heartbreaking storyline saw Alice push on and ignore doctor’s advice as she wanted to become a mother, and she gave birth to her and Sam’s son prematurely.

After trying chemotherapy treatment, Alice was ultimately given a terminal diagnosis with just months to live.

Not wanting to waste away, Alice planned her own death in a euthanasia plan with husband Sam and she died of a morphine overdose in 2006.

The tragic story saw Ursula win the Best Soap Actress Award, at the TV Quick and TV Choice Awards in 2006.

After leaving Emmerdale, Ursula moved away from acting and focused on an entirely new career with a move into teaching.

She qualified from a teaching course but has now moved into therapy, and qualified as a Dramatherapist in 2022.

She’s also built out her career with other qualifications, including training to become a Celebrant with The Order Of Bards, Ovates and Druids.

Working as a Family Celebrant, Ursula conducts baby naming, Civil Partnership, funeral, memorial, wedding ceremonies and renewal of vows.

Her website explains: “All proceeds from Ursula’s work as a Celebrant are gifted to her chosen charity: Compassion in World Farming.”

Ursula’s last on screen role was in 2017 as a Clerk in the TV mini-series In the Dark.

The former actress also looks worlds away from her on-screen role as Alice Dingle, who was known for her short fiery red hair.

Now Ursula has light brown hair shaped into a bob, looking drastically different to her Emmerdale character.

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