11 October 2023 , 22:32
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Amy Dowden, who is currently taking a break from Strictly Come Dancing while she receives chemotherapy, has opened up on a huge milestone in her cancer treatment.
The Ballroom and Latin dancer joined Janette Manrara on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two to share a health update as well as opening up on her decision not to wear her wig during a guest appearance on Saturday's live show.
Amy began: “I want to use my platform to to help give others the courage and strength they need.” The dancer admitted Strictly bosses, her co-stars and her fans have "all inspired me".
Sharing an update on her treatment and reaching a momentous milestone, she said: "Chemo again tomorrow, session six. I am over half way and I can see the finish line. But not going to lie, it is tough but I am feeling strong and positive and I just want to raise as much awareness as I possibly can and get everyone to check their chest.”
Amy appeared on Strictly on Saturday with her shaved head on show and her bravely was applauded by her co-stars and fans. The dancer underwent a mastectomy after discovering she had stage three breast cancer in April.
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(BBC)She continued: "Everyone has been amazing, dancers, hair and make up, everyone but I have to give a special shout out to the execs (executives) who have been there since my diagnosis in spring. We have cried happy tears, sad tears. Having them and getting involved in the show has meant everything to me. On those difficult days has helped me push through.”
Speaking of her close friendship with Dianne Buswell, she said: “There’s not a day goes by when she doesn’t message me and send videos of her and Bobby. Katya and Nigel face timing me on chemo days, I am forever grateful."
Janette remarked: “Fans and viewers are showing so much love and support," to which Amy replied: “Strictly has the world’s best fans and gosh have I felt it - the love the support always comes on days I have really needed it and I will never ever be able to thank them enough.”
Opening up on why she decided to shave her head, she explained: "I found losing my hair really traumatic and it didn't matter how much I prepared for it I couldn’t even brush my own hair in the end I couldn’t even look in the mirror in the end because I was bald in top. I told my family I’m shaving it tomorrow. We all did it together, my friends and family got together, we tried to make it as fun as possible. They inspired me and I want to use my platform to help others give others the courage and strength they need.”
Amy explained it was a last-minute decision to go on Strictly without her new wig. She added: "My wig wasn’t ready for the dress run so Dianne was going on at me all day saying ,‘You look so beautiful without it.’
“I went out and did the dress run and the Strictly family treated me no differently without. They gave me so much love and support and I spoke to production, and the hair and make up girls were saying ‘Don’t wear the wig!’ I felt really liberated, and I didn’t tell anyone, I was nervous but it didn’t matter if I had my wig or not.”