Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Arlene Phillips, 81, weighs in on Amy Dowden's sudden departure and warns bosses she needs 'rest and care' after backstage collapse

Dame Arlene Philips has voiced her concern for Amy Dowden and said she needs care and rest after she collapsed backstage on Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Welsh ballroom dancer Amy, 34, who is understood to be in remission after battling breast cancer, was taken to hospital and is reportedly ‘doing much better’ but will not be returning to Strictly this week.

The former judge on the BBC flagship show, 81, weighed in on Amy’s current condition and called her, ‘the greatest fighter we have right now on the dancefloor.’

But Dame Arlene added: 'Amy is her powerhouse and she wants to be back on that floor like everyone else.

‘I think her belief and her strength maybe there was a moment that overwhelmed her and she does need rest and she does need care - she will accept that.'

Speaking at the Global Gift Gala on Monday evening, where she was being honoured, Dame Arlene continued:  ‘Amy is the greatest fighter we have right now on the dance floor. 

'Whatever happens will be the right decision, I know Strictly will take care of her but Amy is also her own woman and what she decides goes.'

Her comments come after calls from Strictly fans to BBC bosses to give Amy a break after her collapse and only allow her to take part in group numbers.

Dame Arlene was on the original judging panel when the show began in 2004 before leaving in 2008 to pursue a career in theatre and choreographing.

It was announced on It Takes Two last night that Lauren Oakley, 33, would be replacing Amy this week and dancing with JB Gill.

Show insiders feared Amy, who also battles Crohn's disease, could quit the show following her collapse on Saturday evening.

But a BBC spokesperson said yesterday: '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, can 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.'

Moments before her hospital dash, Amy had performed the Foxtrot to Toploader hit Dancing In The Moonlight with her celebrity partner, JLS star JB Gill.

But fans noted the dancer was partially seated during her latest performance.

Lauren will rehearse with JB in Amy's absence after the singer avoided the dance-off, finishing fifth on the Strictly leader-board with a collective score of 32 from show judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton du Beke.