Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Amy Dowden has spoken out about Kate Middleton’s recent video message in which she opened up about her cancer experience
Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has been on an emotional rollercoaster after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer last May, but she’s come out fighting.
The Welsh dancing sensation has shown immense courage and resilience, becoming an inspiration as she openly shared her cancer journey. In February, she gave us all a reason to cheer when she announced she had “no evidence of disease”.
Catching up with the star at the National Television Awards at London’s O2 Arena, Amy was the epitome of elegance and strength. Rocking a chic pixie cut and a dazzling pink gown, it was evident that she’s embarking on an exciting new chapter.
The 34 year old from Caerphilly was positively radiant and couldn’t hide her enthusiasm as she discussed her return to the dance floor. “It’s just so brilliant to be back,” she gushed.
Amy is one of Strictly fans’ favourite dancers
“It feels wonderful to be dancing, which is what I love more than anything, and celebrating that and the amazing show that is Strictly in its 20th year,” reports OK!.
Amy also opened up about the profound impact the past 16 months have had on her life, acknowledging how her battle with cancer has forever altered her perspective. “I’m just so lucky to have got through cancer,” she said thoughtfully.
“I say, don’t take tomorrow for granted. We don’t know what’s around the corner. So be present, be in the moment, do what you love and most importantly, spend time with the people you love.”
Amy was joined at the glamorous event by her close friend and fellow Strictly pro, Carlos Gu. He turned heads in a ruffled red skirt, and Amy joked that he “took longer to get ready than me but it’s OK, because he looks fab-u-lous!”
Carlos, a Chinese dance champion, was full of admiration for his friend, saying, “When I think of everything Amy’s been through in the past year, and just look at her now I mean, she’s unbelievable!”
Kate detailed her cancer journey in a new video
The duo, who became fast friends on the popular BBC show, are taking their friendship to new heights with plans for their own dance tour in 2025, fittingly named Reborn.
Carlos explained the idea behind the show, saying, “It’s about the journeys we’ve both been on. We have a great friendship together and Amy has been through so much and I also, in the last few years, feel like I’ve found my true self in this great country. I’ve really connected with my sexuality, my dancing, and I have a friend for life in Amy. Her family has adopted me!”
Amy confirmed Carlos’ sentiments with a laugh, adding, “It’s totally true. He even spent last Christmas with us all. We were drinking Bucks Fizz on Christmas morning, as you do, and Carlos was like, ‘I can’t believe how much you guys drink,’ haha!”
Amy received a heartfelt welcome back at Strictly Come Dancing’s Elstree Studios this Saturday, as the show dedicated a segment to the courageous dancer who performed a vibrant quickstep in hot pink to mark her return and raise breast cancer awareness.
Overcoming a challenging period, Amy feels that she is finally rediscovering her true self, sharing words of resilience and hope.
“I do feel stronger. In the last few weeks, I feel like me again,” she admitted. “It’s been much harder than I realised, getting myself back to it. I think I was a bit deluded. After finishing chemo in November, I thought I’d be fine by Christmas but no, it’s taken me a long time.”
Amy’s wisdom through recovery shines through as she espouses patience and positive thinking: “But it’s about patience, remembering this too shall pass. Don’t get bitter, get better. And just being back in the Strictly family, I feel like myself again.”
Touched by the Princess of Wales ‘ recent video sharing her own challenging recovery, Amy found a deep connection with her words.
“It really resonated with me,” she revealed. “I think it would with anybody who’s been through cancer. I think Kate is amazing and her message was beautiful.”
Her own intense fight with breast cancer led Amy, a former British Latin Dance Champion, to step down from the beloved dance competition for its 21st season to focus on her health.
The star has been married since 2022 to her fellow professional dancer, Ben Jones. She was initially diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023, after finding a lump in her breast the night before the couple went on their belated honeymoon.
Just six days after her heartbreaking diagnosis, she allowed cameras into her life to film ‘Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me’, a poignant documentary that showcases Amy’s vulnerability and strength.
Opening up about the tough fertility treatment she underwent as chemotherapy can impact a woman’s fertility she shared her surprise and joy upon learning embryologists had frozen five of her embryos, giving her and Ben hope for starting a family in the future.
“There are five little Amys and Bens in the freezer! ” she exclaimed, thrilled by the news.
However, despite initial hopes that surgery would be curative, two months post-diagnosis, Amy received the crushing news that doctors had discovered “more tumours” and “another type of cancer”. She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, alongside her fertility treatments.
Additionally, Amy battles the challenging effects of Crohn’s disease, which she highlighted in another documentary in 2020 titled ‘Strictly Amy: Crohn’s And Me’. For her efforts to raise awareness, she was honoured with an MBE for services to Crohn’s disease, which she dedicated “on behalf” of those suffering from the chronic inflammatory bowel condition.
Despite facing tough challenges especially at a relatively young age the pro dancer’s resilience and bubbly character remain intact.
Announcing her comeback on Strictly, an ecstatic Amy said, “It feels like it’s my first year again. I’m buzzing to see the whole team, for the costumes, the dance routines, to meet the celebrities, the judges. Everyone’s laughing at me because I’m just smiling constantly.”