Strictly on the sidelines - professional dancers who've been dumped from the dancefloor

Amy Dowden has made her second return to the world of Strictly Come Dancing, with an appearance on the show's companion show It Takes Two. Opening up about her return to Strictly on Saturday amid her cancer battle, the professional dancer said: "I just felt like I was home.

Angela Rippon was previously told by BBC bosses that her time on television was over due to her age and to "make room for other women" when she was 50. The 78 year old, who is competing on this year's Strictly Come Dancing with partner Kai Widdrington, has opened up about her age and the comments she previously received from TV bosses in a new interview.

Strictly Come Dancing's Nadiya Bychkova was consoled by her co-star boyfriend Kai Widdrington after they left the Pride of Britain awards together. Nadiya, 34, appeared to have broken down in tears as her 28 year old boyfriend wrapped a comforting arm around her as she looked to be sobbing on his shoulder.

It seems like Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell have a fantastic relationship away from the ballroom of Strictly Come Dancing, and were spotted holding hands after the Pride of Britain Awards at the weekend. Dressed in an eye-catching pink dress in tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the 33-year-old choreographer looked ecstatic to be on a night out for a good cause with her pal, 34, who accompanied Amy and another individual in the taxi ride home.

Amy Dowden reunited with her fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers as they headed to the Pride of Britain Awards in London on Sunday 8 October. Amy, who revealed that she'd been diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer in May this year, joined familiar faces from the show’s past and present and she accompanied Janette Manrara, Dianne Buswell and Aljaž Škorjanec at the star-studded event.

Big Brother is making an exciting return to our screens. The reality TV show was last aired five years ago - and now the iconic show has a new home on ITV, with a new look and presenters.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden looked sensational as she headed to the Pride of Britain Awards in London on Sunday 8 October. Amy, who revealed she'd been diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer in May this year, opted for a gorgeous pink dress as she posed for pictures on the red carpet at the annual event.

Brave Amy Dowden has broken her silence to say she "embraced the bald" after she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing without a wig amid her breast cancer battle.The professional dancer made a surprise return on Saturday night's live Movie Week show, 7 October, to read the voting terms and conditions. She's recently been seen wearing wigs, after shaving her head due to hair loss from chemotherapy treatment.

Prepare for an extra sprinkle of Hollywood glamour on the dance floor this weekend, as Strictly Come Dancing's epic Movie Week is back.The 14 remaining dance couples are set to take on an eclectic range of performances inspired by La La Land's biggest films. After finding themselves in the dance-off last week, broadcaster Nikita Kanda and Gorka Márquez will hope their Jive to Kids In America from the 1995 hit Clueless will be enough to save them from a similar fate this time round.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez is bringing "Barbie to the ballroom" as he will play Ken from the hit film Barbie in a professional performance during the results show on Sunday. In the spirit of movie week, Gorka channelled Hollywood star Ryan Gosling in the I’m Just Ken music scene of the 2023 comedy, sporting a white fluffy jacket, a bare chest, black sunglasses and bandana with the classic blonde hairdo.

After welcoming a beautiful baby girl with his Love Island star fiancée Chyna Mills, Neil Jones has shared that being a dad is a 'whole new level' as he settles into fatherhood. Chatting with OK!, the Strictly Come Dancing professional, 41, appears to be taking the new chapter in his stride as he shared his family-orientated values and baby joy. "I love kids and always have.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have accused head judge Shirley Ballas of giving out low scores to the female contestants on the show, just a year after she was hit with a sexism row.The experienced dancer gave a lower score than her fellow judges to celebrities, Anglea Rippon, Zara McDermott, and Ellie Leach on Saturday, 30 September. As Shirley gave her feedback and then her score during the show, she was booed by members of the live audience.

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has admitted she "dreams of dancing" on the hit BBC show again amid her battle with breast cancer. The professional dancer took to social media to share her support for her colleagues ahead of Sunday night's results show. Amy shared a series of snaps alongside her Strictly co-stars, taken at the recording of Sunday night's opening number, which was a musical tribute to Tina Turner.

Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden has provided a brave update as her fifth round of chemotherapy gets underway, amid her breast cancer battle.Taking to Instagram, Amy posted a mirror selfie as she held up the number five, confirming that she is about to face a fresh round of treatment.The 33 year old looked comfy as she wore a pink hoodie with black tracksuit bottoms. In the snap, Amy is pictured connected to a drip as she appeared to be remaining positive as she had a smile on her face.

The first night of Strictly Come Dancing kicks off on Saturday 23 September, but not all of the pro-dancers are feeling the heat of the competition, after they weren’t chosen to have celebrity partners. Stars Nadiya Bychkova and Neil Jones weren’t picked to dance with the celebs this year.

Katya Jones has become a familiar face on Strictly Come Dancing over the years, joining the show as a professional in 2016. In recent years, Katya has been paired with various celebrities, including Ed Balls and Nicola Adams. However, her most notable win was with Joe McFadden in 2017.Their chemistry and performances won them the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Strictly Come Dancing has returned much to the delight of fans as we watch this year's celebrities take to the ballroom in the hope of lifting the Gliterallball trophy. Helping them on their way are the talented professional dancers, including Michelle Tsiakkas in her second time on the show.

Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Amy Dowden has sent a message of support to the BBC show team ahead of its first live programme of 2023, saying: “I know it’s going to be amazing.” The 33-year-old announced in June that she had undergone a mastectomy after discovering she had stage three breast cancer, and would be unable to have a celebrity partner on the show this year.The new batch of famous faces will take to the dancefloor for their first performance with their professional partners during the first live show of the 21st series on Saturday night. Ahead of the show, Amy posted a photo of her dressed in Strictly glamour to her Instagram and wrote: “Happy live show day @bbcstrictly.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Katya Jones has revealed the dedication that she makes to her close friend and co-star Amy Dowden after she was diagnosed with cancer. Katya has partnered with Cancer Research to take part in their pre-loved items campaign, which she said “couldn’t have come at a better time.” Talking to Women’s Health, the Russian choreographer explained that when she practices yoga, the 34 year old dedicates her time to Amy, who recently bravely shaved her head amid chemotherapy treatment. She said: “At the start of my yoga class, [we’re told to] dedicate the practice to someone or to something.

Strictly favourite Amy Dowden made a heartbreaking promise to her "ray of sunshine" friend who died of cancer.The 33-year-old professional dancer shared the incredibly moving words in honour of her friend, Nicky Newman, who was just 35 when she died.The influencer and cancer campaigner was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer five years ago, and has become a close friend of Amy's since she received her own diagnosis earlier this year. Sharing a post from Nicky's page - which included a message from Nicky beginning "If you're reading this it means I have died" - Amy thanked her late friend for being a true inspiration.