Amy Dowden says she wants to return to Strictly Come Dancing for next season

20 February 2024 , 00:01

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Amy Dowden said she wants to return to the Strictly ballroom (Image: BBC/Wildflame/Stephen Hart)

Amy Dowden has told how her goal this year is to get back on Strictly this autumn after missing a year while battling breast cancer.

The professional dancer finished her chemotherapy but last week revealed she had a setback with ­respiratory issues that landed her in hospital again. And as she prepares to launch the second run of her teaching show Dare to Dance, the 33-year-old said: “Fingers crossed. The aim this year for me is to be back with the Strictly family, back in the ballroom doing what I love.”

Speaking of her latest trip to hospital, Amy wrote yesterday: “Last week didn’t exactly go to plan. Feeling much better now and still taking it easy. But can’t thank the NHS and the care I received on the respiratory unit enough.” Amy praised Strictly pals Diane Buswell, Carlos Gu, Graziano Di Prima and Oti Mabuse who stepped in to save Dare to Dance when she was diagnosed with cancer shortly after filming on the second series began.

She had to be rushed to hospital last week

Amy has been vocal about her cancer diagnosis

She told how the fellow-pros dropped everything to come to her aid. Amy added: “It just shows what a family we truly all are. I called them up and Diane, who I think finished one job the night before, got straight in the car down to help me. All of them did. They were a massive help.”

Welsh dancing champ Amy revealed making the show helped her face her battle with cancer. She said: “I couldn’t dance flat out, but I could still instruct. I was very much involved, far more than I thought, and it really helped. Because I had a focus and something to get up for every day.

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“Had I had all that taken away from me, I would’ve really struggled. And Dare To Dance is full of what I love most… teaching, dancing, ­choreographing. So it took me away from my reality. It’s been the tonic that I needed, my normality. I’m just super grateful.”

Amy is working hard to regain her full energy levels

In BBC Wales show Dare To Dance, people are taught a dance routine in order to surprise their family and friends. Couples all have their own reasons for being selected. Two friends are preparing to dance at a Windrush Day event, one young woman stopped dancing when her confidence plummeted due to sight loss, and a couple brought their wedding forward because of their own cancer diagnosis.

Amy said she has no regrets about speaking out about her cancer battle. She added: “I’ve had people come up to me and say, ‘Because of you, Amy, I check my chest now.’ And that was the reason for me going public because I never thought at the age of 32, I would ever get diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I’ve had people messaging me online to say, because of me, they found a lump or went to a GP and had been diagnosed. But they still thanked me because if it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t have known. I’m going to do all I can to continue to raise awareness.”

Amy Dowden’s Dare to Dance, BBC iPlayer and BBC Wales, March 1.

Nicola Methven