Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden feared cancer had ‘taken’ her as she shares moving update
Amy has been sent messages of love and support from fans and friends
Amy Dowden has shared some personal news on Instagram(Image: Amy_Dowden Instagram)
Amy Dowden has shared a health update and admitted she is “very proud” after overcoming the challenges she has faced over the past couple of years. The Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023.
After undergoing a mastectomy and chemotherapy treatment, Amy revealed in February last year that tests showed “no evidence of disease”, which meant she returned to the BBC dance show in September 2024. However, the road to recovery has not been the easiest for Amy and she has had many hospital visits over the past year.
In a new post uploaded to Instagram, two pictures of her were shared, Amy said: “EXACTLY two years apart THIS WEEKEND. When I see memories like this it makes me so very proud. The bottom picture was after I was rushed into hospital via ambulance very poorly. I didn’t know at the time but I had another blood clot on the lung but also all the sides effects of 8 rounds of gruelling chemotherapy.
“I still remember now as I entered the ambulance I turned to Ben and my dear friend and said cancer has taken me, I’ll never be the same again, I’ll never dance again (I was at at the lowest point I’d ever been). My foot also broken and I couldn’t see how I could ever get the old Amy back.”
Reflecting on the second picture uploaded of herself, Amy was much more positive and spoke about the hard work and how proud she if of her journey. She said: “After a year of two dancing tours, Strictly and fabulous opportunities, but most importantly three weeks after another mastectomy. It didn’t come easy, after a year of real hard work but it got me feeling like me again. I’m posting this to show it’s POSSIBLE.
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“Yes it’s been hard but I DID IT. I wish I rewarded myself more along the way. But gosh am I so proud of how far I’ve had to dig deep, especially in the past 12 months. A year ago I thought cancer took my dancing, I told myself I needed to hang my dancing shoes up but my darling husband Ben and Carlos Gu proved and made sure it didn’t.”
She finished her heartfelt message, writing: “Cancer you didn’t take and will not take who I am!” Amy received supportive messages after sharing the health update. Brookside legend Claire Sweeney shared red love heart emojis and Gaby Roslin commented: “Oh Amy you are blooming wonderful and it’s fantastic to see you dancing and so full of life.”
Another comment said: “It’s amazing how this journey can make you feel. A year ago I felt exactly the same, like that was it and id never work again. Now I’m back at work full time, been through 2 surgeries, chemo, radio and hormone therapy.”
Further responses included: “An absolutely beautiful shining light of inspiration, thank you for sharing your journey” and “God bless you my darling Amy, you look absolutely stunning in both pictures, you keep fighting and being the most beautiful resilient woman that you are.”
Before Amy was eliminated from the latest Strictly series, fans had enjoyed seeing her back on our screens every week. Thomas and Amy faced the first dreaded dance-off of the series alongside former England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova, with both pairs performing their dances for a second time.
After they had performed their salsa to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal and Armand van Helden, and Chris and Nadiya had performed the Viennese waltz to Die With A Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, the judges gave their verdict.
Head judge Shirley Ballas and judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood all voted to save Chris and Nadiya, meaning Motsi Mabuse did not need to use her casting vote, which is only used in the event of a split-decision, but said she would have voted the same way.
