Strictly Amy Dowden's major announcement after star 'heartbroken' over BBC exit

By Bethany Whittingham, Senior Showbiz Reporter

Amy Dowden left Strictly Come Dancing last week (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Amy Dowden thanks fans for support after Strictly exit

Strictly Come Dancing favourite  Amy Dowden has shared a huge announcement after her “heartbreaking” BBC exit.  

The 34-year-old was forced to take a year off from the show after her health battle with cancer and Chron’s disease but made a triumphant return to the show this year.

But last week, the blonde bombshell announced she was stepping back from the dance competition after sustaining an injury to her leg.

Since then, the Welsh beauty has admitted that she was “heartbroken” to pull out of the show after sustaining a foot injury, meaning her partner JLS’ JB Gill will be partnered up with her co-star and pro-dancer Lauren Oakley for the rest of the series.

After a disappointing few weeks, the performer has taken to Instagram to share some exciting news with her loyal legion of fans.

The pro-dancer was forced to quit the BBC show due to an injury (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

She gushed: “[I’ve] come home to some pretty awesome mail that has put the biggest smile on my face and cheered me up massively.

“And that is that I got my date to go to the palace to get my MBE. It still doesn’t feel real, but yeah, I got my date so now I need to plan my outfit and I’ve told who I'm taking with me.

“But mostly it’s something to look forward to after what’s been – and I’m not going to lie – a rubbish two weeks.

“But I know only too well that this too shall pass and this has already made me feel a little bit better. So, I've put that date in my diary – I'm going to the palace! I’m so excited.

She shared the news about her upcoming MBE (Image: Instagram)

The entertainer went on to thank her fans for their kind messages as she showed her support to her partner JB and Lauren for the rest of the series.

She gushed: “I just wanted to say the biggest thank you to everybody for all the messages of love and support and everything that I've received over the last few days.

“A big thanks to my friends and my family who have just been incredible. Obviously, I'm still processing it and I’m still gutted but I’ll be cheering JB and Lauren and everybody on, championing them all in this wonderful, magical journey.

“Thank you again everybody for all your love and support, it hasn’t gone unnoticed and it means a lot.”