Strictly’s Amy Dowden returns to live shows for first time since diagnosis

The Welsh ballroom and Latin American dancer was forced to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing 2023.

By Molly Moss

Published: Saturday, 07 October 2023 at 18:17 PM

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has sparked emotional responses from fans after she made a welcome return to the live shows for the first time since her cancer diagnosis.

The BBC One Show returned for Movie Week on Saturday night (7th October), with the remaining 14 celebrities dancing to famous movie soundtracks and songs.

And during the episode, professional dancer Amy made an appearance to read the show’s voting terms and conditions between dances.

Speaking to Claudia, Amy said: “I’m doing really well! I’m over halfway through treatment through chemo and I cannot wait to be back with you all permanently.” 

The Welsh ballroom and Latin American dancer joined the series in 2017 and famously reached the final in 2019 alongside television presenter Karim Zeroual. 

Unfortunately, she was forced to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 after receiving a grade three breast cancer diagnosis in May, for which she has been receiving treatment in recent months.

The professional recently said she is cautiously hoping to be working again in the foreseeable future, telling the Daily Mirror: “I dream every night of being back on the dance floor. But I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment.”

Strictly fans watching the show were thrilled to see Amy make an appearance, with one tweeting: “Ladies and gentlemen. Amy Dowden. That’s it. That’s the tweet.”