It comes after the professional dancer on the BBC One show was seen offering a candid update after her recent cancer surgery
Strictly Come Dancing stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu(Image: Amy Dowden Instagram)
Amy Dowden has seemingly teased her Strictly Come Dancing return after offering a candid update after her recent surgery.
The professional dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, before undergoing a single mastectomy and gruelling chemotherapy treatment. She was told there was “no evident of disease” in February 2024, before returning to the dance show later the same year.
It was then earlier this month that Amy faced a second mastectomy, with the Welsh star confirming at the time that the procedure wasn’t to treat a new cancer, but was a decision made with her medical team following a recent appointment.
Just a couple of weeks on and the BBC dance star posted a post-surgery selfie on Instagram on Wednesday (November 19) and gushed she is “proud with how far I’ve come”. “This picture I took the day I come out of hospital, post surgery!” she explained.
“Tomorrow marks two weeks since my surgery, and I’m feeling proud with how far I’ve come. Focusing on the little things, I’m seeing gradual improvements in my movement and being able to do more each day. I have been taking it slow, listening to my body, being kind with myself, and celebrating the small wins. But this week I’ve really seen a difference and feeling so like me again. Please remember to check yourself. (sic)”
Now, Amy has returned to social media as she appeared to have headed up to Blackpool where Strictly will relocate to the famous Tower Ballroom for one weekend only, as per tradition for just over halfway into the series.
In a post on her Instagram Story, a photo showed her reunited with her friend and co-star, Carlos Gu, as they headed for lunch with a view of the sea. Alongside the post, Amy wrote: “Oh how I’ve missed you! @gkx_carlos.”
Amy was seen in Blackpool with Carlos and Karen ahead of their next performance(Image: Amy Dowden Instagram)
She also posted a picture of them both with Carlos’ celebrity partner, former footballer Karen Carney, who also joined them for lunch in a break from rehearsals. “Cutest lunch between their rehearsals! Thank you gorgeous souls @gkx_carlos @kazcarney,” Amy captioned the post, which Carlos then reshared with the messaged: “Reunited!”
It comes after Amy took to her Instagram Stories alongside her recent post, where she discussed her recovery in a candid video. She said: “I am doing so much better, thank you. Since the weekend, I’ve really started to feel more like me again. I’ve definitely got my energy back after surgery and anaesthetic, my movement is coming back, it’s not so tender.
“It’s still, obviously, sore but swollen, but the bruising has gone down, and I’ve definitely got a bit more movement back now, and I’m really looking forward to being able to progress now with physio moving forward. And it’s been lovely, I’ve had my twin sister come to stay with me, and I’ve been able to get out and about, and I think that just makes you feel so much better, as well.
“I’m only doing what is advised, and remember, every patient, every individual is so different, and so only do what your doctor recommends. But definitely being able to get out and about has definitely helped as well.
“And I went and saw my doctor on Friday, which was just over a week after my surgery, and I had the dressings removed, and he said that the bruising had really gone down.
“Obviously, I still feel tight and it’s still a little bit swollen, but I had a look at it, and I’m really happy with everything, and it’s now all about recovery, getting strong as I possibly can, getting back on the dance floor when it’s safe to do so, and I’m fully recovered. But I just wanted to say thank you, massively, for all the lovely messages.”
The star said she went out shopping but currently cannot wear or buy dresses or outfits with low tops because they feel “uncomfortable on her”, or it causes her compression bra to show. Amy explained: “I can’t wear anything with low tops – especially dresses – and I’ve got to wear these compression bras, and getting a jumper on is hard, and in the grand scheme of things it’s not a major problem.
“I’ve got some lovely dresses and outfits, but I can’t wear them they are just uncomfortable, or the compression bras are on show, or I can’t get out of them because I’m restricted movement. So it has been a little bit of an excuse to do some retail therapy, which certainly helped.”
Amy thanked her fans for their support once again and is excited to watch the Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool special. She concluded the video with: “But yeah, I just wanted to say a massive thank you again. I’m doing really, really well and two weeks on Thursday since the surgery and, honestly, from the weekend onwards, I really saw a massive difference with my recovery.
“It feels so good to be out and about again and have a bit more freedom, and, obviously, I am still taking things day by day. I am going to make sure I recover fully and properly and be patient – I know patience is not the thing I am best at – but I’m doing my absolute best. People have been asking for advice, but I can only say what helped me. Thank you so much, and I’m so looking forward to Strictly Blackpool!”
