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Amy Dowden has said her brief return to Strictly Come Dancing allowed her to become “truly happy again” following her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy recovery. The professional dancer admitted that she is “proud” of all she has achieved in the last year despite prematurely exiting this year’s competition.
In February, 34-year-old Amy announced she was showing “no evidence of disease” after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023. Seven months later, she made her long-awaited return to Strictly as 37-year-old JB Gill’s coach.
Unfortunately, her 2024 BBC ballroom experience was cut short after the Welsh star collapsed backstage. She cited “feeling unwell” during the competition’s live show and later confirmed she was pulling out due to sustaining a foot injury.
Admitting her heart was “breaking”, Amy revealed professional dancer Lauren Oakley, 33, would take over as JB’s mentor and that she would become the pair’s “biggest cheerleader” on the sidelines. Following the pair’s leaderboard-topping debut last week, Amy has taken to social media to admit she is trying to “live life to the full” following her recent health plight.
“Since 09.11.2023 I made a promise to myself that I’d always go grab life, what @nicknacklou taught me,” she typed to her 711,000 Instagram followers on Saturday (November 9). “At the time I didn’t know what was ahead, awaiting tests and I guess the hardest part yet the long recovery from what chemo and surgery does to you.
“I was a ‘new’ me but deep inside found I had zero confidence. Even until late spring I wasn’t sure I had the confidence to dance again.”
Amy continued to write that while she didn’t feel like herself at the time, she was so glad she “pushed through” as returning to the BBC dance floor allowed her to become “truly happy again”.
“Although today I’m not celebrating how I imagined and so wanted to. I’ve made myself look back on the last year and feel so proud of all I have achieved and what I would have told the struggling Amy back last December and January what was ahead,” she typed.
“But importantly I’m alive and living life to the full. I’m forever grateful to @coppafeel and @mrsgifletcher who ultimately got me checking and saved my life. To all the drs and nurses who have and continue to care for me. Thank you.”
Amy added that she is sure to keep “dreaming” and making sure she grabs life “in every way possible” despite life throwing “many bumps along the way”.
“I’m ensuring these bumps teach me and push me to become better, don’t get bitter get better,” she added.
“I’m also lucky to have those around me who are there for the good, the bad and the ugly. You all know who you are and I love you endlessly.”
The heartfelt message was shared alongside a compliation video which included clips of Amy collated over the last year.
Tune into Strictly Come Dancing at 6.35pm tonight on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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