24 May 2023 , 09:47
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The Strictly Come Dancing family is rallying around Amy Dowden following the dancer's admission she has breast cancer at the age of 32.
Amy's former Strictly partner Tom Fletcher and his wife Giovanna rushed to the star's following her heartbreaking news, with Amy explaining: "Tom and Giovanna got straight in the car and came to see me when I told them the news, and we went for a walk.
"Giovanna’s encouragement has been central to my decision to share my story in the hopes of helping others."
Amy, who has become a favourite on the BBC show over recent years, received the shock diagnosis last week and doesn't currently know if she will be able to return to Strictly later this year.
The professional dancer has Stage three breast cancer, the final stage behind the most severe, Stage 4, which means the disease has spread to lymph nodes close to the breast, to the skin of the breast or to the chest wall.
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In addition to watching her family experience ill health during her childhood, with her mum battling both thyroid and breast cancer, Amy has also endured several health battles prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer last week.
The brave star was even forced to live with McFly singer Tom and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! winner Giovanna in 2021 after a hospital dash while her now husband was away for work.
The Strictly Come Dancing professional was diagnosed with Chron's disease aged 11Amy, who danced with the McFly singer during the 2021 series of Strictly, suffered an unexpected Crohn's flare-up and was forced to miss one of the live BBC shows.
She told her fans at the time: "Thanks for all messages over the weekend. Unfortunately, I was missing from the show as I had an unexpected Crohn's flare-up and hospital admission in which I received unbelievable care. I'm recovering very well and certainly being well looked after and look forward to returning to the dance floor."
Amy, who tied the knot with professional dance partner Ben Jones last year, added: "Big thanks to lovely @saradaviescc and @tomfletcher for taking care of me (of all the days to be poorly, Ben was in Blackpool with the dance school).
"To the Fletchers who made sure I had everything and more at the hospital, have brought me back to theirs where the whole family are giving me all the love, care, burnt toast (Tom), unlimited supply of @mrsgifletcher clothes along with @tomfletcher sock choice you could possibly need, lots of drawings and pretend injections from my new doctors Buzz, Buddy and Max. Thank you, they really were sent to me."
The McFly singer and his wife took care of his Strictly dance partner during her health scare (amy_dowden/Instagram)Earlier this year, Amy opened up about living with Crohn's disease and admitted the lifelong invisible condition impacted her career before her rise to fame.
"I'd go for a try-out and then as soon as my dance teacher would say 'you need to tell them about your Crohn's,' I wouldn't hear back from them," Amy recalled to the BBC Access All podcast.
"I had so many rejections because of my Crohn's. If a producer wants to take you on tour, [they question] what happens to them and their insurance when I'm poorly? You're seen as a risk."
The star, who was diagnosed aged 11, added how she is keen to break down the stigma attached to the condition, as "people don't want to talk about poo and guts and bowels. They all get embarrassed."
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Amy uses her platform to raise awareness of what life is like with the hidden health condition (INSTAGRAM)
The star is close friends with the Fletchers following her time on the dancefloor with Tom (amy_dowden/Instagram)Amy's Bafta-winning documentary Strictly Amy: Crohn's and Me detailed the star's daily reality living with the condition, with Amy often suffering from terrible mouth ulcers, constipation, severe pain, sickness and fatigue.
The star, who was partnered with James Bye for last year's series of Strictly, has to take a total of eight steroids a day to stay out of hospital.
Taking to Instagram this morning [Wednesday], Amy shared the sad news she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
"Hey all, I’ve got some news which isn’t easy to share," the 32-year-old began when addressing her followers.
"I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I’m determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it."
The dancer signed off with a love heart emoji and penned "Welsh love Amy x."
Amy tied the knot with her long-term partner last yearAmy's fellow Strictly professional Dianne Buswell was one of the first to send Amy some love in the comments, writing: "Our Welsh dragon is going to fight this !!!! and I can not wait for the moment you are back on that dance floor with us .
"We love you so much Amy."
Gorka Marquez added: "We are all in this with you!! Sending all our strength. And you will be with us in the less than 8 counts.
"We love you Amy."
X Factor winner Alexandra Burke told Amy: "Sending you so much love, strength and prayers. Xxx."