BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden shares hospital dash for 'cruel' illness while in Manchester

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has shared her hospital dash while in Manchester.

The professional dancer was in the city for the hit BBC One show's live tour.

But Amy, 31, suffered a flare-up of her Crohn's, leaving her in the hospital and unable to perform on the Strictly tour.

The Welsh dancer shared the news on Instagram on Monday evening.

READ MORE: Gorka Marquez issues warning to Strictly Come Dancing's Aljaz Skorjanec after 'cheekiest thing ever' at Manchester show

"Not quite the weekend performing in Manchester I was expecting," she wrote alongside two images.

"The one pic is me all ready to dance the following is literally a few hours later," she explained, with the second image showing her lying in a hospital bed with a cannula in her hand.

Amy continued: "Just want to help spread the awareness of 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? Well, I wouldn’t do anything in life if I spent the whole time worrying if I might get a flare up. I’ve always said it won’t define me!

"To me, my condition is at its cruellest when it takes me away from my biggest passion, dancing!"

Amy was then full of praise for her Strictly co-stars and for the care and support she has received.

"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!

"To the entire @strictlycomedancinglive team, thank you!Thank you for the Incredible care I received in Manchester hospital and biggest thanks to all the fans who have sent such beautiful messages, I’m so sorry for not being able to perform for you!"

The dancing star finished her post with a