Strictly's Amy Dowden unveils life-threatening Sepsis diagnosis
Whilst undergoing cancer treatment
Last updated 29th Aug 2023
Following her heartbreaking second cancer diagnosis back in July, Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has now opened up about how she contracted life-threatening infection Sepsis, whilst undergoing chemotherapy.
34-year-old Amy bravely opened up to HELLO!, where she said: "I wasn't feeling too bad that day, just sick, but a couple of hours later I started having a temperature of 37.7C.
"At the time, I didn't realise that having a temperature of 37.5C or above could be fatal for a chemo patient. I just thought it was my reaction to chemo, but as it turned out, I had already got an infection.
"The Strictly producers were checking in on me, and I was sending videos of me on my walk. I couldn't believe how good I was feeling."
However, things quickly took a bad turn, with Amy's mum Gillian telling the publication: "Amy's symptoms got worse very, very quickly. At one point she felt ok, then suddenly she felt very ill - it happened in an instant.
"She went to stand, then just sort of crumpled back on to the settee."
Explaining the ordeal, Amy added: "I felt freezing cold but I was all clammy and shaking. My mum and dad rang my red card (which provides the chemotherapy team's contact details and current treatment information) and they said to hang up and ring the ambulance."
After being rushed to hospital and spending time in the Intensive Care Unit, Amy was given the shock diagnosis.
She said: "The doctors and nurses were telling me I had sepsis and that it was life-threatening but I wasn't taking it in. I didn't become properly aware until later. I told my dad: 'I've got sepsis' and he said: 'I know!'"
Amy was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer back in May, and despite undergoing a mastectomy, doctors later found more tumours and a different kind of cancer, leading to Amy to undergo chemotherapy.
Due to the diagnosis, Amy won't be able to take part in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, a show she has been part of since 2017.
Speaking last month during a video with awareness charity CoppaFeel, Amy told host Erin Kennedy about her disappointment that she won't be able to take part in the show she loves. She said: “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.”
See all of the Strictly Come Dancing professionals below:
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.
Amy is continuing with her chemotherapy treatment. We are sending her all of our love throughout this difficult time.
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