Strictly Come Dancing live: Amy Dowden undergoing second mastectomy after 2023 cancer diagnosis
Amy Dowden to undergo second mastectomy
Strictly professional Amy Dowden has told her fans she is undergoing a second mastectomy after being diagnosed with cancer in 2023.
She wrote on Instagram on Monday (3 November): “As you all know I’ve always been very open about my health and the care I receive. So I’d like to start by being clear what I am about to share is not to treat a new cancer diagnosis.
“However, following a recent appointment with my incredible medical team, we’ve decided that I’ll be having another mastectomy this week.
“They’re confident that, all going well, I can expect a straightforward recovery. Once I have healed I look forward to rejoining my Strictly family.”
Jacob Stolworthy3 November 2025 10:49
Lewis Cope addresses claims he’s a ‘professional’ dancer
Some viewers have claimed that Cope has an unfair advantage due to his previous dance experience, complaining about the competition’s “double standards”.
Cope made his stage debut at just 11 years old, playing Michael in the West End hit Billy Elliot: The Musical.
The actor was also part of the hip-hop troupe Ruff Diamond as a teenager, who finished as runners-up on the Sky One dance competition Got to Dance in 2013.
He has dismissed claims that he’s a “professional” dancer, labelling the accusations “bizarre”.
“I don’t really know where all that came from, to be honest,” he said. “I trained as an actor. I danced a bit when I was a teen, but haven’t since.”
(BBC )
Jacob Stolworthy3 November 2025 10:13
When is the Strictly Come Dancing final?
Halloween Week marks the midway point in the competition with just six shows remaining until the final.
The show’s glittering Blackpool Week will take place in two show’s time on Saturday, 22 November.
Meanwhile the final showdown of the competition will air on Saturday, 20 December.
Only time will tell who’ll lift that glitterball…
Jacob Stolworthy3 November 2025 09:21
Strictly Come Dancingviewers have made their feelings clear after Ellie Goldstein became the fifth celebrity contestant to be eliminated from the 2025 series.
The 23-year-old model departed the popular BBC reality series – along with pro partner Vito Coppola – at the end of Sunday night’s (2 November) results show, after losing a dance-off to Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon.
Jacob Stolworthy3 November 2025 08:45
It’s official: Ellie has become the fifth contestant to be voted off this series of Strictly
Louis Chilton2 November 2025 20:04
Just half an hour to go before the results show
There’s just 30 minutes to go until this week’s Strictly results show kicks off
(BBC)
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 18:45
Could Zoe Ball be Strictly’s next presenter?
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball, who is one of the bookies’ favourite to take over hosting the show has revealed how she’d feel about taking over from Tess Daly or Claudia Winkleman on the programme.
“I think everyone would like to do that job,” she said. “Everyone’s going to want that job. There will be queues going around the block.”
Huge BBC star throws hat in ring for Strictly host job
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 18:30
Traitors star Cat Burns to perform on tonight’s results show
Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns will perform on Strictly’s results show tonight in an exciting crossover for the two popular BBC shows.
The 25-year-old singer will appear ahead of the dance-off between the bottom two couples.
Her music will be accompanied with a performance by professional dancers Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu, who will receive an invitation to The Monsters’ Ball.
Read the full story below:
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 18:00
Who has the casting vote on tonight’s results show?
For the 2025 series there was a radical change to the Strictly voting system, where the final dance off decision is placed in the hands of alternating judges rather than just those of head judge Shirley Ballas.
The judge with the casting vote is announced at the end of every Saturday show, with this week’s dreaded dance off decision back in the hands of Ballas.
If Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse’s verdict is tied, it will be up to the 65-year-old Latin star to pick which contestant goes home.
Strictly’s Shirley Ballas has cast deciding votes on the series for seven years… until now (BBC)
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 17:30
Who is Lewis Cope? The star who landed the first perfect score of the season
Learn all you need to know about the Emmerdale star who swapped the Dales for the dance floor:
Lydia Spencer-Elliott2 November 2025 16:00
