Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden has shared a candid health update with her followers. The professional, who is currently taking part in the Strictly Live Tour, said she wanted to be "true and honest" about the reality of Crohn's disease following a flare-up.
Amy, who was diagnosed with the condition at 19, has long used her platform to raise awareness of hidden chronic illnesses, and in her most recent update explained how Crohn's disease isn't just about the gut. In an Instagram story the Welsh star, who hails from Caerphilly, revealed the area around her eyes was swollen following a flare-up.
Speaking to the camera, Amy explained: "Good morning, so as much as I love showing you all the fabulous fun things I get to do, this is also my reality living with Crohn's. The last few days my eyes have properly flared up, but it's okay, I keep smiling. The make-up girls do all they can to make me feel amazing and beautiful."
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Right on cue a make-up artist appeared by Amy's side, speaking to the stylist, Amy turned to her and asked: "I was just saying this is the reality of my Crohn's, what have I looked like the last few days? They look better today, my eyes. Do my eyes look way better? What do you reckon? Because the last few days they've been a bit iffy, but do you know what, we keep going."
"You are super woman," Jess replied, to which Amy said: "Thank you, darling."
Continuing to speak to the camera, Amy said: "It won't stop me from doing what I love, but the last few days have not been easy. My face is still swollen but this is what it's like living with an inflammatory bowel disease. I'm not going to let it define me, I'm not going to let it stop me from doing what I love and I really want to dance and perform."
Amy added: "I feel fine in myself now, I've got all the energy but I always want to try and be true and honest and help raise awareness for this disease. It's not all that you think, it's not all about the gut, there's so much more to living with this awful disease."
Despite her struggles, Amy signed off on a positive note. Beaming from ear to ear, the 32-year-old said: "Anyway how lucky am I, I get to perform today at the 02 and I'm so excited."
Later Amy shared before and after pictures following a make-up transformation for the stage. "You can see I've still got a little bit of swelling but you can't really tell," she said. "So today I'm just trying to show the reality but it won't stop me."
Last year Amy was admitted to hospital in Manchester following a flare-up while on the Strictly Live Tour. Sharing two pictures hours apart, Amy wrote: "Not quite the weekend performing in Manchester I was expecting. The one pic is me all ready to dance the following is literally a few hours later. Just want to help spread the awareness of hidden chronic illnesses.
"I know we get so many comments oh you look fine, on the outside yes, but not the inside. Comments why do you push yourself? Well, I wouldn't do anything in life if I spent the whole time worrying if I might get a flare up. I've always said it won't define me!"
Amy continued: "To me, my condition is at it's cruellest when it takes me away from my biggest passion, dancing! I can't thank my fellow cast enough… it certainly helps to have some strapping male dancers there to help carry you too. I love you all!" For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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