Amy Dowden’s future on Strictly Come Dancing ‘revealed’ amid breast cancer battle

The professional dancer has teased a possible appearance on the show as she undergoes treatment
Amy Dowden’s future on Strictly Come Dancing ‘revealed’ amid breast cancer battle
BBC/Ray Burmiston
Lisa McLoughlin 4 September 2023
The Weekender

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Amy Dowden’s future on this year’s instalment of Strictly Come Dancing has been revealed after she teased a possible appearance amid her cancer battle.

The professional dancer announced in May that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and later revealed that she had undergone a mastectomy.

The Caerphilly-born celebrity said doctors had found another type of cancer and is now having chemotherapy, which has also forced her out of Strictly 2023.

Last week, the professional dancer teased a return to the Strictly studios and said that she hopes to make an appearance whether it be on the main show or spin-off series, It Takes Two.

She told Hello! Magazine: “I’ve been on the phone to the Strictly team today. They said they’re getting me some fabulous wigs ready [for any appearances].

“The team are being guided by me – they’ve been utterly amazing.”

In light of her comments, Dowden’s return has been confirmed by show insiders, who told the Express.co.uk that she “will be in the series” but she “wasn’t there to film the launch opener”.

The Standard has contacted a Strictly Come Dancing representative for comment.

The Welsh performer recently said on social media how “hard” it’s not to be a part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing group numbers because of her diagnosis.

Despite her disappointment not being part of the line-up due to her health, she recently visited the BBC set where the show’s hair and make-up team gave her a pre-chemotherapy makeover.

Sharing the results on her Instagram Story, she wrote: “Let’s go! Number three! Next cycle I’ll be saying half way!”

Last week, Dowden was inundated with messages of support from Strictly’s presenters and fellow dancers after suffering blood clots as a result of her treatment but said she is “feeling good”.

The dancer joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and was a finalist four years ago with presenter Karim Zeroual.

She married professional dancer Ben Jones in July 2022.

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