Amy Dowden says she now lives completely different after cancer battle (Image: BBC)
The Strictly Come Dancing professional was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 after discovering a lump the day before jetting off on honeymoon with husband Benjamin Jones. She subsequently underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy treatment following the diagnosis.
In February 2024, Amy announced that doctors had informed her there was ‘no evidence of disease’. Since then, the star, who is making her comeback to the BBC dancing competition in September for her tenth series as a professional, confessed to Radio Times that she now “lives life differently”.
Speaking to the publication, she revealed that Strictly helped to save her life. “It’s more than a show for me because it helped me get through the darkest days. A lot has happened to me in a decade, she said.” she said.
“From joining the show to getting married (to fellow dancer Ben Jones), to my cancer diagnosis, to getting back on the dance floor.”
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The dancer said Strictly got her ‘through the darkest days’ (Image: BBC)
Amy continued: “Dancing is, for sure, my saviour. In standing by me, the BBC gave me the hope and courage to get back to work. But not as the old me.
“I’m a new version of myself now – literally, I have a new upper body. I can’t be the same person after everything I’ve been through.”
She added: “I live life very differently because you just don’t know what’s around the corner; I don’t worry about the things that I used to [worry about]. Every day is a privilege.”
Amy has been a mainstay on the hit BBC One dance programme since 2017, making history as the first Welsh dancer to join the beloved show.
Speaking about her Strictly comeback, which was confirmed alongside the judges and fellow professional dancers, Amy said: “Every year it feels so surreal to me, as the first Welsh professional dancer, to be part of the most magical show. I still get as excited as I did in my first year.
Amy has been a fixture on the hit BBC One dance programme since 2017 (Image: Getty Images )
“But I’m also just so deeply grateful to the BBC for standing by me through everything, being patient, and being so supportive. And giving me these opportunities and they never lost hope in me.
“Does that make sense? I owe a lot to them. They never lost hope in me. Having that to work towards kept me going on the toughest days.”
Opening up to the MEN ahead of her tour, Reborn, alongside reigning Strictly champion Carlos Gu, she continued: “Obviously, I’d love to get to Blackpool! But ultimately, it’s about embracing it all and taking in every moment and every opportunity. I’m very lucky to be part of this show.
“A cancer diagnosis teaches you that tomorrow is not promised, so you have to be present and enjoy every moment. Literally, after I got invited back this year, I told the producers, I just want to really soak it all up and make the most of every second.”
