Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has revealed to fans today that she has breast cancer. The professional dancer, 32, joined the BBC show back in 2017, and has since become a firm favourite amongst fans of the show.
In a devastating post to her Instagram story today, the professional dancer shared the heartbreaking news with fans. "Hey all, I've got some news which isn't easy to share.
"I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I'm determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it. Welsh love Amy x"
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Amy, who hails from Caerphilly in South Wales, revealed in an exclusive interview with Hello! that she does not yet know if she will go back to Strictly but said she has a "really good chance" of returning to the famous ballroom. The dancer has stage three breast cancer - the final stage before the most severe - which has a 70% survival rate for five years or more after diagnosis.
Stage four means that the cancer has spread to lymph nodes close to the breast, to the skin of the breast, or to the chest wall. "You just don't ever think it's going to happen to you," Amy told Hello!.
"I hadn't thought it was possible to get breast cancer at my age. My mum has had breast cancer, but she had it at a later age, in her 50s."
In June of last year, Amy and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner Giovanna Fletcher completed a charity hike in Pembrokeshire for Coppafeel, a charity that encourages people to check their breasts for lumps and differences and supports people with breast cancer. During the 2021 series of Strictly, Amy was partnered with Giovanna's husband, McFly star Tom Fletcher.
During the hike, Amy implored fans to donate to the charity. "Would love any donation possible towards this fantastic charity which is very close to my heart after watching my mum and close friend battle with breast cancer," she said on social media.
She told Hello! following her diagnosis: "I've been through quite a lot in my life and this is another hurdle. But if I'm positive and strong, I've got a really good chance of getting back out on the dancefloor as soon as possible."
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