Amy Dowden offers advice after 'biggest shock' prior to Strictly Come Dancing exit

BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden candidly opened up on her menopausal symptoms as she hoped her story would help others for menopause awareness month

Professional dancer Amy Dowden has sadly had to exit her Strictly role following her backstage collapse last week.

Now, JB Gill will be partnered by Lauren Oakley for the remainder of the competition. However, before the news broke on It Takes Two, Amy, 34, opened up on her menopausal symptoms. It comes after she completed breast cancer treatment earlier this year.

In the new clip, Amy explained her type of cancer was hormone fed and said she had to go into a medically-induced menopause. She claimed this was “one of the biggest shocks” of her treatment and revealed she has since experiences symptoms such as hot flushes and low energy.

She labelled it a "huge shock". "I was in a bit of denial, and I had no idea about the menopause," she said. "It's something I wasn't worried about, I hadn't even thought about, and I thought I had years ahead of me before I went into menopause. It's been tough, and the signs and symptoms haven't been easy."

She explained how she had struggled most with the lack of sleep due to hot flushes and night sweats, particularly due to her active job. However, she said speaking to others had helped her get through the difficult time. "My advice would be to persevere," she went on. "Obviously, you kind of don't have any choice, but at the same time, your body does adjust, or even not only that, you adjust.

“I think you start to get used to it and not to be scared, to talk to others, not to feel alone. I think that really helps to speak to others and to get advice on what works for them and to obviously always seek medical advice."

The clip was part of Boots and Macmillan Cancer's collaboration for menopause awareness month. She revealed to her followers she didn't want people thinking they were going through the issues alone.

The upload came shortly before it was revealed she was stepping back from this year's Strictly competition due to a broken bone in her foot. Doctors have told her to rest indefinitely in order to allow the injury to recover. Speaking of the decision, she said: "My heart is breaking right now. The past few months I finally felt like me again.

"Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again. My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the strictly dance floor. It's been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 too.

"Which with my incredible team we got there. Something I wanted to do for myself and loved ones. There was no feeling like it dancing again in the ballroom with my strictly family. Then I was partnered with the talented, kind, gentle soul JB. Every day our training room was chilled, hardworking and full of big smiles enjoying what we was creating together with a blossoming friendship.

"JB thank you for being the perfect partner back. We topped the leader board week one and continued to work so hard and thank you for being so passionate about understanding the ballroom and Latin fundamentals. For me that rumba will always be one of my favs . I'm so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short."

She added she'll be back seen and thanked all her fans and family for their support.

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