Strictly star Amy Dowden was rushed to hospital on Saturday for the second time in eight weeks after suffering a Crohn’s flare up, leaving her unable to perform on the show’s tour.
The professional dancer, 31, vowed that her illness will not ‘define’ her after being submitted to a hospital in Manchester and promised fans she will be back on the Strictly tour once she’s feeling better.
Amy, who last endured a flare-up in December, which caused her to miss one of the Strictly live shows, said her condition is ‘cruellest’ when it takes her away from her biggest passion, dancing.
Unwell: Strictly star Amy Dowden was rushed to hospital on Saturday for the second time in eight weeks after suffering a Crohn’s flare up, leaving her unable to perform on the show’s tour
A source close to the star told MailOnline: ‘Amy suffered another Crohn’s flare up this weekend, which meant she couldn’t perform in Manchester.
‘She was disappointed and hates letting down the fans, but she will back on her feet again in no time and is already feeling lots better.
‘The entire team is always there to support her, Shirley Ballas especially, whose niece has the same illness.
‘Shirley had been worried about Amy before they set off to Manchester from Leeds, she asked her to travel with her instead of catching the coach with the rest of the cast.’
‘Disappointed’: Amy vowed that her illness will not ‘define’ her after being submitted to a hospital in Manchester and promised fans she will be back on tour once she’s feeling better
On Monday, Amy confirmed she narrowly missed performing this weekend in Manchester, posting a photo on Instagram of her ready to perform, and an image taken hours later from a hospital bed.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Amy said: ‘Not quite the weekend performing in Manchester I was expecting.
‘The one picture is me ready to dance the following is literally a few hours later. Just want to help spread the awareness of my hidden chronic illnesses.
‘I know we get so many comments oh you look fine, on the outside yes, but not the inside. Comments why do you push yourself?
Partnership: Amy performed on the last series of Strictly with McFly frontman Tom Fletcher (pictured) and were the eighth couple to be eliminated from the show
‘Well, I wouldn’t do anything in life if so, spent the whole time worrying if I might get a flare up. I’ve always said it won’t define me!
‘To me, IBD is at its cruellest when it takes me away from my biggest passion, dancing! I can’t thank my fellow cast enough… it certainly helps to have some strapping male dancers there to help carry you too. I love you all!
‘Thank you for the incredible care I received in Manchester hospital and biggest thanks to all the fans that have sent such beautiful messages!
‘I’m feeling so much better, and I’ll be back dancing with the gang, living the dream before you know it! Lots of Welsh love.’
‘It won’t define me’: Amy, who last endured a flare-up in December, which caused her to miss one of the Strictly live shows, said her condition is ‘cruellest’ when it takes her away from dancing
Amy, who was partnered with McFly frontman Tom Fletcher on the last Strictly series, was hospitalised in December due to another painful Crohn’s flare-up.
The Welsh dancer has suffered from Crohn’s, which is a condition where parts of the digestive system become inflamed, since childhood.
She is currently performing on the Strictly Live Tour, which continues in Sheffield on Tuesday alongside the likes of professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Kai Widdrington, and Aljaž Škorjanec.
Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis, as well as Sara Davies, Max George, Maisie Smith, Tilly Ramsay, Rhys Stephenson, and John Whaite, are also stars performing on the tour.