Amy Dowden taken to hospital after collapsing backstage at Strictly live show

The professional dancer Amy Dowden was taken to hospital during Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing live show after collapsing backstage.

Dowden returned to the BBC talent show this year, having missed the previous series after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

In a statement, the dancer’s spokesperson told BBC News : “Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution. She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern.”

They added: “We request Amy’s privacy in matters of health is kindly respected.”

The Welsh dancer, 34, was taken to hospital after an ambulance was called to Elstree Studios, in Borehamwood, during the show.

An East of England ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called just after 21.00 BST on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.

“An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet hospital for further care.”

Dowden did not take part in Sunday night’s results show.

Her dance partner, JLS star JB Gill , posted on Instagram on behalf of the pair after they made it through to another week.

“I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for voting for us and wishing us well,” he said. “We absolutely loved our performance on Saturday night and are so grateful to be through to another week. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support.”

Dowden revealed last year how she was nearly killed by sepsis while undergoing treatment for cancer. Dowden said she was “very unlucky” to have contracted the infection.

Dowden told Hello! magazine that two days after chemotherapy treatment on 3 August, she went for a walk with her parents, Gillian and Richard. “The Strictly producers were checking in on me, and I was sending videos of me on my walk. I couldn’t believe how good I was feeling,” she said.

But when they got home she took a turn for the worse and her parents had to call an ambulance. Gillian told the magazine: “Amy’s symptoms got worse very, very quickly. At one point she felt OK, then suddenly she felt very ill – it happened in an instant.”

She added: “She went to stand, then just sort of crumpled back on to the settee.”

Ambulance medics sent her to hospital and the Latin and ballroom dancer ended up in intensive care with a high temperature, where she was diagnosed with sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

Sepsis can be deadly in otherwise healthy people, but it is particularly dangerous for those undergoing any treatment that suppresses the immune system, such as chemotherapy. Dowden also has Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory condition.