Strictly's Amy Dowden reveals second cancer diagnosis
She won't take part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing
Following her breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year, professional dancer Amy Dowden has received more news, with the 32-year-old revealing doctors have found another form of cancer in her body.
Amy, who had hoped to recover from her treatment in time to appear on this year's Strictly Come Dancing later in the year, has now confirmed she will not be taking part in the series, as she undergoes more treatment.
Speaking during a video with awareness charity CoppaFeel, Amy told host Erin Kennedy: “I was originally going to have a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment.
“And then, after my MRI, the doctors found another tumour so then it changed into a mastectomy and then, after my mastectomy, unfortunately, they found even more tumours. And my pathology wasn’t what we were expecting and then they found another type of cancer.”
Speaking about her disappointment that she won't be able to take part in the show she loves, Amy added: “For me, straightaway, it was just like my dancing, like you can take away my boob but you can’t take my dancing away from me.
“I was already upset about it, and obviously this year, it means I’m not going to be able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly but I’m in such regular contact with the team and the BBC have been just utterly incredible.
“We are just one big family and they’re going to be guided by me and there are so many ways to be involved in the show and I’m just staying really positive and hopeful that I’m still going to be part of the show in some way.”
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and undergoing a single mastectomy, earlier this month Amy took part in a Q&A with fans, where she thanked the amazing people around her.
She said: 'I'm up and down but so grateful for those around me. I’ll never ever be able to thank them enough. Still waiting to be able to drive and dance (next week 🙏)
'I’ve got so many amazing people around me who every day when I’ve not been working took me for breakfast, a walk, to the studio, hospital appointments, had me stay at theirs for a change of scenery… you name it (those who live far we’ve spent hours on the phone).
'As I’m someone who needs to keep going and those people know who they are and I’m not sure I’d be as positive as I am now without them.
‘They have been my recovery medicine and it’s so important to have people around you who you can talk to and help you escape reality.’
Amy first joined Strictly in 2017 and has been paired with the likes of Danny John-Jules, Karim Zeroual, JJ Chalmers and Tom Fletcher. Her best placing on the show was on series 17, when she finished second with Karim.
See all of the confirmed professionals on this year's Strictly Come Dancing:
Vito Coppola
Vito joined the show in 2022 and made it all the way to the final with Hits Radio presenter Fleur East. In 2024, Vito went one step further, winning the show with former Corrie actress Ellie Leach.
Amy Dowden
Caerphilly-born Amy first joined Strictly in 2017 and quickly became a fan favourite. In 2023 she was forced to miss the show after being diagnosed with cancer in May. After undergoing successful treatment, it's now been confirmed Amy will return to the show for the 2024 series!
Gorka Marquez
Gorka joined the show in 2016 and has danced in three finals. In 2023 he was paired with Nikita Kanda.
Dianne Buswell
Dianne was a professional on the Australian version of Strictly Come Dancing before she joined the UK cast in 2017. In 2023, she made it to the final with Bobby Brazier.
Karen Hauer
Karen is the longest serving dancer in the current line-up, having joined in 2012. Last year she was paired with Eddie Kadi.
Katya Jones
Katya lifted the glitterball with actor Joe McFadden in 2017 and has been a Strictly professional since 2016. She danced with actor Nigel Harman in 2023.
Johannes Radebe
Johannes has been a Strictly pro since 2018. He danced with Tennis legend Annabel Croft in 2023.
Kai Widdrington
Kai became a professional dancer in 2021, when he reached the final with presenter AJ Odudu but had to pull out due to an injury. Last year, Kai was paired with Angela Rippon.
Jowita Przystal
Jowita joined the show in 2021 and was given her first professional partner, Hamza Yassin, in the 2022 series, with the pair went on to win the show. Jowita was then paired with Jody Cundy in 2023.
Carlos Gu
Carlos joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 and was partnered with CBBC star Molly Rainford. The pair reached the final of the show. Last year, Carlos was paired with Angela Scanlon.
Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita joined the show in 2021. He made the final during the 2023 series alongside his partner Layton Williams.
Nancy Xu
Nancy was paired with actor Les Dennis in 2023. She has been a professional on the show since 2019.
Neil Jones
Neil has been a Strictly professional since 2016. His past celebrity partners include professional footballer Alex Scott and actress and comedian Nina Wadia.
Lauren Oakley
Lauren joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, and her first celebrity partner was Krishnan Guru-Murthy during the 2023 series.
Luba Mushtuk
Luba became a professional dancer on the programme in 2018. In 2023 she was paired with actor Adam Thomas.
Nadiya Bychkova
Nadiya joined the show in 2017. In 2022, she danced with Matt Goss. She was without a celebrity partner last year.
Michelle Tsiakkas
Michelle joined Strictly in 2022. She was without a celebrity partner last year.
Aljaž Škorjanec
Aljaž Škorjanec appeared on the show for a massive nine years before announcing he'd quit in 2022. However, much to the delight of fans, BBC bosses confirmed in July 2024 that he will be returning a professional dancer for the 2024 series.
Sending all of our love to Amy ❤️.
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