Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden has been welcomed with open arms by her co-stars after returning to the live tour, days after being rushed into hospital.
Amy, who suffers from Chron's disease and has fronted a documentary for the BBC on her 'silent' health battle, took to Instagram to reveal she ended up in hospital when she should have been on stage at Manchester's AO Arena, after the tour moved there from Newcastle at the weekend.
Highlighting just how ill she'd become, Amy posted a picture of her in a hospital bed, with a drip in her arm, right next to her looking very glamorous in full stage makeup.
Next to the two contrasting images, Amy, who partnered McFly's Tom Fletcher on Strictly last year, write: "Not quite the weekend performing in Manchester I was expecting.
READ MORE: Rochelle Humes shaken by messages too vile to read out on This Morning
"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."
Opening up on her struggle and the fact many others don't understand just how painful it can be, Amy continued: "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!
"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."
Announcing her intentions to return to the tour, Amy, who reached the final with Karim in 2019, ended: "To the entire @strictlycomedancinglive team, thank you!Thank you for the Incredible care I received in Manchester hospital and biggest thanks to all the fans who have sent such beautiful messages, I’m so sorry for not being able to perform for you!
"I’m feeling SO MUCH BETTER and I’ll be back dancing with the gang, living the dream before you know it!"
True to her word, Amy returned to the dancefloor in Sheffield on Wednesday night, with Sara Davies excitedly posting a selfie of the two of them, writing: "Look who's back!"
For the latest What's On news, announcements and reviews direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
