Amy Dowden from Strictly Come Dancing expressed that her return to the live shows will be “beautiful for her family” after her battle with stage three breast cancer. She shared her journey of resilience and the support she received, highlighting the significance of this moment for both herself and her loved ones.
The 34-year-old dancer was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023. In what has been the toughest year of her life, Amy Dowden underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment, and was hospitalized with sepsis. Despite these challenges, she is looking forward to her return to the Strictly live shows, marking a significant milestone in her recovery.
In February, Amy Dowden announced her return to Strictly Come Dancing after her mastectomy and chemotherapy resulted in “no evidence of disease.” Speaking about her comeback to training and live performances, she said, “I’m absolutely loving it, JB’s been the perfect comeback for me.” She emphasized that she is back in her happy place, doing what she loves most.
Amy Dowden expressed that her return to the show will be “really lovely” for her family, acknowledging their struggles as they watched her battle cancer. She emphasized that this moment is significant not just for her, but for her loved ones who have supported her throughout her journey.
Amy Dowden reflected that last year’s Strictly was “a tough watch” for her family, as it served as a reminder of their struggles. She described this series as “one big celebration” for her. Amy will perform the waltz to Leo Sayer’s “When I Need You” with her partner JB Gill, who noted their “very strong” chemistry. JB emphasized the importance of trusting Amy’s expertise, stating, “I trust her judgment,” and highlighted their open communication as key to their partnership.
JB Gill emphasized the importance of trusting Amy Dowden’s decisions as they prepare for their performance. He noted that they collaborate on ideas and, once they’ve made a decision, they focus on executing it effectively. This approach helps them maintain a strong partnership as they work together.
JB Gill described the training for ballroom dancing as “mind-blowing and eye-opening,” noting that it felt “completely alien” compared to the choreography he did with JLS. He shared how he explained the experience to his wife, professional dancer Chloe Tangney, who was bewildered by the new techniques and counts he was learning. JB acknowledged that it took time to adapt to the differences, both in terms of technique and the physical demands of the dance style.
JB Gill noted that while the waltz is less physically demanding than some other dance styles, it still requires significant attention to posture and frame. He mentioned the importance of holding the correct position with the shoulders, back, neck, and hands, which has been a learning experience over the past weeks. He concluded that they are “in good shape” as they prepare for their performance. This comes after Amy revealed earlier this year that she is now cancer-free.
While Amy Dowden won’t receive the all-clear for five years and will continue with treatment, she expressed gratitude to her family and friends for their support during her “toughest year.” She shared her joyful news on Instagram, writing, “NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of! My biggest accomplishment yet!”
Amy Dowden acknowledged that she won’t receive the all-clear for five years, especially given her hormone-fed cancer. She expressed immense gratitude for the care she received and the unwavering support from her husband, family, and friends. She mentioned needing monthly injections for five years and regular check-ups, noting that chemotherapy has significantly affected her both physically and mentally. As a result, she plans to take the next few months to focus on healing and recovery.
