Amy Dowden 'gutted' as she shares BBC Strictly Come Dancing update

Amy Dowden admitted she was 'gutted' on Friday's Lorraine as she discussed all things Strictly Come Dancing.

This weekend, the hit BBC One dance series will be airing its highly-anticipated Blackpool Tower Ballroom special, marking a huge milestone for the celebrities and their professional partners.

Last week, Amy, 34, expressed her heartache at having to withdraw from the remainder of the dance competition due to a foot injury.

The Welsh dancer made a comeback to the BBC show for its 20th anniversary series after missing out last year while undergoing treatment for stage three breast cancer. In February, Amy announced that tests indicated she has "no evidence of disease".

Following Amy's departure, her celebrity partner, JLS star JB Gill, 37, is now partnered with fellow pro Lauren Oakley with the two competing in this weekend's Blackpool special.

Appearing on Friday's Lorraine, Amy admitted she was 'gutted' to be missing out but teased some exciting news for JB and Lauren. Amy told guest host Christine Lampard: "It's the goal, everyone wants to make it to Blackpool there's something so special in there!"

She added: "I'm just so gutted I won't be dancing there this weekend!" Amy continued: "It's definitely not the way I wanted it but I'm so proud of JB, Lauren's doing a great job.

"Obviously I planned the series for him to have his best numbers towards the end to get him to that final as he's so talented. I've seen the quickstep, everyone's in for a treat, I think there's more tens coming!"

It comes as Amy revealed last week on It Takes Two about her Strictly exit: "I'm absolutely gutted, unfortunately I have an insufficiency stress fracture, if I've said that right, on my shin. Nothing to do with my injury last year, so yeah I'm just absolutely gutted.

"I need to rest for a couple of weeks so unfortunately JB has obviously got to continue, he's got the amazing Lauren. Hopefully I'll be back dancing in some capacity, maybe a group number by the end of the series fingers crossed!"

In the midst of the interview, Amy was visibly moved to tears and received comfort from host Janette. Choking back her emotion, Amy confessed: "Sorry, I'm heartbroken! Being back with the Strictly family was the best rehab."

Further adding, Amy said: "I'm just gutted but this injury could have happened to anybody. I want to stress it's nothing to do with any previous health scares or what I've been through. It's just one of those things, it happens!"

Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 16 November at 6:45pm for a special evening from the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom with the results show airing the next day on Sunday 17 November at 7:20pm on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer.