She added that she would “of course” miss not being part of the show as much but would be “watching from home and look forward to cheering everyone on”.
“Thank you always for all the support,” said Dowden.
The dancer revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 after finding a lump in April, the day before going to the Maldives on her honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones.
After her diagnosis, Dowden had a mastectomy and underwent chemotherapy, with her treatment preventing her from being able to compete with a celebrity partner on the BBC dancing programme that year.
Dowden documented her cancer experience online, and revealed in February 2024 that “no evidence of disease” was found at her latest health check.
She returned to the dancefloor a few months later, partnered with former JLS star JB Gill.
However, she was forced to pull out of Strictly midway through the 20th anniversary series due to an injury and was replaced by Lauren Oakley.
