24 May 2023 , 10:59
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Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has received an outpouring of support following the news she has been diagnosed with breast cancer aged just 32.
The BBC show’s pro-dancer favourite revealed she received the news last week after finding a lump in her breast. The cancer is grade 3 and she will need surgery.
Writing on Instagram, she said: “Hey all, I've got some news which isn't easy to share. I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I'm determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it.”
Shocked celebrity friends responded immediately online.
Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse, 42, said: "We love you amy, sending all my love and will definitely keep you in my prayers."
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Strictly dancer Amy shared her upsetting news but was immediately swamped with well-wishers (Getty Images)
Amy's colleagues, including Dianne Buswell (Left) have come out in support of the star (Instagram/ @amy_dowden)Her sister, former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse, 32, said: "Sending you love and power and all the strength. You’re such an incredible woman. Love you Amy! Take care of yourself”, while another, 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.”
Current Strictly pro Dianne Buswell, 34, Amy’s bridesmaid at her wedding to Ben Jones last summer, said: "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."
South African dancer Johannes Radebe, 36, wrote, "Sending you love and strength Darling Amy," while her 2019 dance partner Karim Zeroual, 29, gushed: "You are the strongest most amazing person I know and I know you’ve got this!!! Love you dearly partner."
"We love you and we are here with you in every little step. You are strong and you will beat this," added Strictly pro Karen Hauer, 41., and singer Alexandra Burke, 34, typed: "Sending you so much love, strength and prayers. Xxx"
Amy and former dance parter Karim, who reached out to her as the news broke (Supplied by WENN)Former Strictly contestant and YouTuber Joe Sugg, 31, said: “Sending you all the love, best wishes and strength Amy”, while TV presenter Gaby Roslin, 58, said: “Oh Amy. Sending you so much love and strength and healing light and of course many hugs.”
Strictly 2011 winner, Mcfly singer Harry Judd, 37, added: “Sending love from all the Judd’s.”
Amy danced with his McFly bandmate Tom Fletcher on the 2019 series of Strictly. His wife, the author Giovanni Fletcher, 38, posted: "Love love love you. Xxxx"
Last summer, she undertook CoppaTrek! – a fundraising 100km walk led by Giovanna, in support of breast health awareness charity CoppaFeel! It was this which led to her checking her breasts and the discovery of the lump a day before she flew on honeymoon to the Maldives this April.
Giovanna Fletcher, Amy Dowden and Tom Fletcher are close friends (amy_dowden/Instagram)
Amy has also been open about her Crohn's Diseases battle (amy_dowden/Instagram)She told Hello!: "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."
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Amy is now waiting to discover what stage her cancer is at, but knows she will undergo surgery.
The dancer, from Caerphilly, South Wales, spoke to Hello! magazine about her diagnosis, saying: "I've been through quite a lot in my life and this is another hurdle.
“But if I'm positive and strong, I've got a really good chance of getting back out on the dancefloor as soon as possible."
Amy, who married her pro-partner Ben Jones last summer, said she wanted to share her news to help others going through the same.
She has previously spoken openly about living with Crohn’s Disease, an inflammatory gut condition, which she was diagnosed with as a child.
She said: "With what I've done for Crohn’s, I want to do the same here.
"If I can try and turn this negative into a positive, it's going to help me get through this."
Amy watched her own mum suffer breast cancer in her fifties.