Amy Dowden forced to pull out of Strictly return after shock new injury
She's 'absolutely gutted'
Last updated 16th Nov 2023
After being forced to miss this year's Strictly Come Dancing due to being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, professional dancer Amy Dowden had hoped to make a return to the dancefloor this weekend, after she finished her chemotherapy treatment earlier this month.
However, the 33-year-old has been hit with another set back, meaning she won't be able to perform as the show returns to Blackpool Tower on Saturday 18th November.
Taking to social media to update her followers, Amy confirmed she's fractured her right foot, resulting in her wearing a moon boot. She wrote: 'Not the week I was hoping for since finishing chemo. Port out but unfortunately gained a boot for a fractured foot. 💔
'Absolutely gutted and heartbroken as this means the plans for me to dance in the Strictly Ballroom this year are no longer possible. This is what has kept me going the past few months.
'2023 is certainly not my year, roll on 2024 I say! #noluck #nyluckwillsoonchange #mycancerjourney #brokenfoot #fracture #heartbroken #gutted #rollon2024'. (sic)
Amy's friends, family and followers were quick to comment on the post, with many sending their love for the dancer.
Dianne Buswell commented: 'next year is yours !!!!!', with Joanne Clifton writing: 'Oh Amy I’m sending so much love ! ❤️❤️❤️'. (sic) Janette Manrara then commented: 'Oh no! Well in that case 2024 could not be coming sooner! 🙏🏼✨'. (sic)
Amanda Abington, who quit the 2023 series, replied: 'Sending you the most love!!! Rest up beautiful girl. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️'. (sic)
The set back for Amy arrives just days after she informed her followers that she'd finished chemotherapy treatment, after being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.
Sharing a very moving video, she wrote: 'I rang the bell 🥹💖🎀🙏 and I’m so thankful I got too!
'My toughest journey yet! These past few months I look back and think how did my body get through this both physically and mentally. From the words I’m so sorry Amy, it’s cancer and what’s your fertility plans. To having a mastectomy, two weeks later hormone daily injections for egg retrieval, a little Crohns flare up and then on to chemo plus shutting down my ovaries on the same day which sadly lead to sepsis, blood clots, losing my hair, my eyebrows, lashes (I have a few hanging in there) and three toe nails 🤣. But also it’s taken away my love of life these past few months and of course my DANCING!
'It’s been tough. But hopefully has now given me chance of more life which I’m eternally grateful for and I will never take for granted again.
'I’ll never be the same Amy again but, what I do know is I’m so much stronger than I ever knew and I have made the most amazing friends along the way.
'I hate looking in the mirror at the moment but I know this is a small price to pay and ‘this too shall pass’.
'I’m so grateful to the wonderful Sheldon oncology unit and my family and friends who have been there endlessly for Ben and I. We did it!
'All though my journey isn’t over yet, this day of ringing the chemo bell felt like an endless distance away and at points I thought I’d never make it to. I’m so proud of myself.'
Amy went on to reveal she's now awaiting an MRI to discover if she will need more surgery, saying: 'I now await an MRI to determine if I need more surgery but for now I’m celebrating my chemo journey coming to an end.
'Thank you all for your love and support along the way. My dancing shoes are warming up and I can’t wait to get back in the training room!
'Now please remember to check yourselves, if you aren’t who is?!' (sic)
Amy has featured on a number of episodes of Strictly this year, where she's been supporting her fellow professionals.
The 33-year-old was praised by viewers last month when she appeared on the show without a wig, after being forced to shave her hair off following her cancer treatment.
Speaking about her return to the show, albeit not on the dancefloor, she said: 'There are no words to describe the pure joy and happiness I felt last night being back with my @bbcstrictly family. It is their love and support that gave me the courage to decide last minute to step out and brave the bald. It’s messages like the above which is why I use my platform to raise awareness and hopefully give others confidence #baldisbeautful. Not saying it was easy and I still miss my long hair dearly but gosh did it feel liberating and it’s breast cancer awareness month which gave me that extra push to do it.
'Can’t wait to back there with the strictly family again soon'.
Check out all of the former Strictly winners to date:
Series 1 winner – Natasha Kaplinsky
BBC newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first celebrity to dance her way to victory in the summer of 2004 with professional dancer Brendan Cole. She finished 39 points ahead of her fellow finalis, Christopher Parker, and received the highest points for eight out of the 10 dances on the series.
Since the competition, Natsha went on to have two children, Arlo and Angelica and was awarded an OBE for her services to the Holocaust Commission. She continued her career in journalism leaving the BBC in 2008, before joining Channel 5 and then ITV.
Series 2 – Jill Halfpenny
Also in 2004 (but this time in December) soap actress Jill Halfpenny also became a Strictly champion alongside her dance partner Darren Bennett. Their Jive was the first ever Strictly routine to score a full house of 40 points, so we're not surprised she went on to win!
Jill was most well known for starring as Rebecca Hopkins in Coronation Street and Kate Mitchell in EastEnders. After Strictly she continued her acting career before stepping onto the West End, performing in plays such as Uncle Vanya and even Chicago. Now, she's a broadcaster for BBC Radio 2, which she's been doing since 2017.
Series 3 – Darren Gough
English cricketer Darren Dough stole the glitterball trophy from the likes of Zoe Ball and chef James Martin, despite never reaching the top of the Strictly leaderboard with his dance partner, Lilia Kopylova. The pair also went on to win the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2005.
Darren retired from his cricketing career in 2008. The following year he became a presenter on the sport radio station Talk Sport, which he is still currently doing.
Mark Ramprakash
You may remember England cricketer Mark Ramprakash was the first ever contestant to restart a routine on Strictly after his microphone got caught in his dance partner's dress. However despite the hiccup, they still received the highest score! He was the second cricketer to bowl through and take home the glitterball in 2006. The sportsman soon departed from playing on the cricket pitch to coaching on it instead, and became the batting coach for the England cricket team. He then departed this role in 2019.
Series 5 – Alesha Dixon
Former R&B singer Alesha Dixon lifted the glitterball in 2007 alongside her dance partner Matthew Cutler in what was a very close final, as she finished just two points ahead of actor Matt Di Angelo.
Since her time on the dance floor, we've seen Alesha sit on the Strictly judging panel herself from 2009 to 2011, before leaving to judge on Britain's Got Talent, America's Got Talent and then Australia's Got Talent.
Series 6 – Tom Chambers
Holby City and Casualty actor Tom Chambers' Strictly win alongside Camilla Dallerup became somewhat controversial, as despite scoring the lowest of the three finalists the public still made him their winner.
Tom clearly enjoyed his time on the dance floor, as he starred in a stage version of the musical Top Hat, before returning for two Strictly Christmas Specials in 2008 and 2015.
Series 7 – Chris Hollins
Ola Jordan helped breakfast presenter Chris Hollins dance his way to victory in 2009. After the show he continued with his presenting career at the BBC for various shows including The Rescues, Cash In The Attic, and The Food Inspectors. He is also a presenter for BT Sport Live.
Series 8 – Kara Tointon
It wasn't just the glitter ball that Eastenders actress Kara Tointon left with at the end of her time on Strictly, but a new love with her professional dance partner Artem Chigvintsev. The pair even celebrated their win with a kiss - how romantic!
Since Strictly Kara continued a successful acting career taking to the stage too. Her most notable role was playing Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion in the West End and the ITV live production of The Sound of Music, where she played Maria.
Sadly, Kara and Artem's Strictly romance didn't last and the couple decided to part ways in 2014.
Series 9 – Harry Judd
McFly drummer Harry Judd stole the winning spot in series 9 with professional dancer Aliona Vilani, beating fellow finalists Chelsee Healey & Jason Donovan. Harry fought hard to take the winning spot and didn't top the leaderboard until week 7, but from then on he received high 30s throughout the rest of the competition.
Since Strictly, Harry returned to the band McFly and released new music with them in 2020. More recently he welcomed baby number three into the world with his wife, Izzy Judd.
Series 10 – Louis Smith
Louis took home bronze and glitter in 2012 after his success at the 2012 Olympics and on the Strictly dance floor, with dance partner Flavia Cacace. In the final he danced against Denise Van Outen and Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh, receiving the lowest score from the judges. But it didn't matter, as the British public voted for him to be their winner. Louis continued to represent Great Britain in the Olympics before retiring and swapping gymnastics for the theatre. He even continued doing some dancing too and took part in this years series of The Masked Dancer and won!
Series 11 – Abbey Clancy
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec's routine regularly stole the show, so we weren't surprised when the pair were crowned the Strictly winners in 2013.
After the show Abbey went on to become a judge Britain's Next Top Model and welcomed her fourth child with husband Peter Crouch in 2019.
Series 12 – Caroline Flack
Caroline Flack and partner Pasha Kovalev became the first and still are the only Strictly couple to receive 40 points for all three dances in the final. Caroline continued a successful TV career after the show, presenting on the X-Factor alongside Olly Murs and on ITV's Love Island. Sadly, Caroline took her own life in February 2020 and our thoughts are with all who knew her.
Since Caroline's passing, her mum Christine has become an advocate for mental health.
Series 13 – Jay McGuiness
Jay McGuiness was one of four members from boy band The Wanted and won with partner Aliona Vilan. The singer credited much of his success to his dance partner and on winning told her: "You deserve it so much, you really do." After taking a musical break for seven years, The Wanted are now back together and are embarking on a UK tour in 2022.
Series 14 - Ore Oduba
The TV and radio presenter was known for wearing his heart on his sleeve throughout the competition, regularly getting emotional throughout the series. But he shed tears of joy after beating Louise Redknapp and ex Hollyoaks star Danny Mac, which saw him take home the glitter trophy.
In 2019 he began his musical theatre career, starring in the UK Tour of Grease and made his West End debut in January 2020.
Series 15 - Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden was the second Holby City actor to win Strictly with partner Katya Jones. He may not have been a natural dancer at the start, but he certainly came out on top beating Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the final. After Strictly he performed in the UK tour of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert.
Series 16 - Stacey Dooley
The journalist and broadcaster beat show favourite, Joe Sugg, with her dance partner Kevin Clifton. The couple had clearly fallen for each other while on the show as shortly after it was announced they were a couple.
Stacey went on to make two more documentaries and made appearances on other TV shows, including Glow Up and most recently presented DNA Family Secrets alongside Turi King, which helps people find out secrets about their families through DNA tests. Stacey and Kevin are also still together.
Series 17 - Kelvin Fletcher
Despite entering as a replacement for reality TV star Jamie Laing who injured his foot, former Emmerdale actor Kelvin stole the show and came out on top with his dance partner Oti Mabuse. Kelvin is a self-confessed 'petrol head' and has taken part in many motorsport races, including the British GT Championships.
Series 18 - Bill Bailey
Bill blew everyone's socks off and became the oldest contestant in Strictly history to take home the glitterball trophy. It was a big moment for his partner Oti Mabuse too, as their victory marked her second win.
Bill's back to doing what he loves best, which is making us laugh, as well as playing his guitar and spending lots of time outdoors.
Series 19 - Rose Ayling-Ellis
EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first ever deaf contestant to take part in Strictly, and her professional dancer Giovanni Pernice beat GBBO star John Whaite and Johannes Radebe for the Glitterball after a tense 2021 finale.
Rose, who plays Frankie on the BBC soap, was applauded by deaf communities over the world for raising awareness of sign language and how being deaf doesn't affect your ability to dance.
Series 20 - Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin won the 20th series of Strictly Come Dancing with his professional partner Jowita Przystal. A firm favourite due to his high energy, great enthusiasm and incredible lifts, he beat radio presenter and singer Fleur East, singer and actress Molly Rainford and TV presenter Helen Skelton to the Glitterball Trophy.
Series 21 - Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Former Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach was crowned the 2023 winner alongside her professional partner Vito Coppola. Ellie was in the final alongside Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier, and despite not topping the leaderboard during the final, the public voted for her to be crowned the 2023 winner of the Glitterball Trophy.
We continue to wish Amy all of the best with her recovery ❤️.
Strictly Come Dancing continues this weekend on BBC One.
Now read:
Amy Dowden rings bell after final chemotherapy session in emotional post
Amy Dowden reveals how being partnered with Tom Fletcher may have saved her life
Amanda Abbington drops hint Strictly's Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola are 'dating'