14 October 2023 , 17:15
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Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas has vowed that professional dancer Amy Dowden will be back on the show by next year, hailing her as a "superstar" and a "fighter".
The 63-year-old taught Amy when she was younger for many years and said that, knowing the type of person she was, Amy would do everything she could do to return. She also said that everyone missed her, but that she often sent her notes and flowers as she kept her informed on what was going on.
Speaking to the Mirror on the Pride of Britain red carpet on Sunday, Shirley spoke about Amy's return last Saturday as she ditched her wig in an incredibly powerful moment. Just weeks ago, Amy shaved off her hair as she underwent chemotherapy for stage three breast cancer. "She was a student of mine for many years. I talk to her a lot, all the time and I thought she was very, very brave," Shirley explained. "She was going to wear a wig and then she decided not to for cancer awareness month, and that took courage and we know what kind of courage that took for her and I thought she looked beautiful.
Shirley Ballas has said that Amy Dowden will return to Strictly (Getty Images)
Amy Dowden has been undergoing chemotherapy (Daily Mirror)"Her dress was beautiful, the face, make-up - with or without hair that girl is a superstar. And I know her fight having known her as a little girl and she will be back on that show by next year. We love her, we miss her. She's very creative, she's so positive when you go on tour with her, she gets you upbeat."
Shirley added: "I send her flowers and notes and letters and tell her what's been going on. My mum just had shingles, so I was sharing that. She has Crohns and my niece has Crohns, so it's difficult."
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Last week, Amy described the moment she appeared on the show without a wig as "liberating". She said in a powerful Instagram post: ""There are no words to describe the pure joy and happiness I felt last night being back with my @bbcstrictly family. It is their love and support that gave me the courage to decide last minute to step out and brave the bald. It’s messages like the above which is why I use my platform to raise awareness and hopefully give others confidence #baldisbeautful. Not saying it was easy and I still miss my long hair dearly but gosh did it feel liberating and it’s breast cancer awareness month which gave me that extra push to do it."