Welsh Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has spoken exclusively about her breast cancer battle and its impact on her life, as she prepares to return to the ballroom for her tenth series
Amy Dowden no longer takes a single moment for granted.
Having fought breast cancer, endured chemotherapy and survived multiple bouts of sepsis, the Strictly Come Dancing professional is gearing up to return to the ballroom for her tenth series, saying the show “kept me going on the toughest days”.
The professional dancer has been a fixture on the hit BBC One dance programme since 2017, making history as the first Welsh dancer to join the beloved show.
However, Amy suffered a devastating blow when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, and subsequently went through a mastectomy and gruelling chemotherapy treatment, during which she faced life-threatening struggles with sepsis, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Since then, Amy, who underwent a second mastectomy last year and attends the hospital for monthly injections due to having been diagnosed with a hormone-fed cancer, has committed herself to raising awareness of breast cancer and urging others to check their chests.
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.
“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.”
When asked about her aspirations for the upcoming series, Amy, who was speaking to the MEN prior to her tour, Reborn, alongside reigning Strictly champion Carlos Gu, went on: “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.”
Our conversation with Amy took place just hours before it was revealed that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are the new Strictly hosts. It represents the first occasion a trio has fronted the popular programme in its 22-year history, following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the conclusion of the 2025 series.
Speaking about Tess and Claudia’s departure, Amy told us: “It’s an end of an era. But it was right for them, and it was what they wanted. The magic of Strictly is the format – everybody loves watching celebrities fall in love with dancing and going on that journey. That’s not going to change. The nation loves watching those partnerships grow.
“The new presenters will bring their own personalities and natural changes to the show because obviously, they won’t be Tess or Claudia. I’m really excited to find out who they are. It’s a new era, and I’m just really grateful to be part of it.”
This follows several professional dancers announcing they would be leaving Strictly before the 2026 series. She added: “Once you’re part of Strictly, you’re always part of the family. Like everything in life, there are always changes, and I think it’s about embracing it. Look at Julian [Caillon] and Alexis [Warr] last year – they were brilliant additions to the show. I see changes as a positive thing.”
Amy also commended Strictly for its support of her and her colleague Dianne Buswell, who participated in Strictly’s 2025 series while pregnant with her first child, and has been confirmed as returning to the programme later in the year after giving birth to her son, Bowden, in March. Speaking after meeting Dianne’s new arrival, who goes by the nickname Bowie, Amy said: “Oh, it’s gorgeous, it really is. I’m so proud of Dianne. She is so happy and content. Her baby, Bowie, is absolutely beautiful and such a good baby too-the perfect blend of Joe and Dianne. Knowing Dianne for a decade on a deep personal level, I’m just so proud of the journey she’s been on.
“It’s also brilliant that Strictly supports pregnancy and motherhood. It sends a wonderful message to everyone watching that you can go off, have a baby, and keep doing what you love – your career doesn’t have to stop.
“We are so lucky that the producers at BBC Strictly encourage and support everyone, whether it’s me through my health journey, Dianne through her pregnancy, or bringing on celebrities to highlight representation – like Chris McCausland, Tasha Ghouri, Rose Ayling-Ellis, and JJ Chalmers. It’s making a positive impact, but also educating and influencing the right way. It makes me so proud to be part of it.”
Alongside her Strictly comeback, Amy and her close friend and fellow Strictly professional, Carlos, are heading back out on the road with their live production, Reborn.
The tour, which first launched last year, chronicles Amy’s much-anticipated return to the dance floor following her cancer diagnosis and Carlos embracing a fresh chapter of self-discovery since relocating to the UK. It showcases a cast of world-class dancers and vocalists. Amy enthused about the upcoming tour: “You’re going to see over 22 fabulous, full-on dance numbers-it might even be more than that now! You’ve got every style of dance, an amazing cast, and the incredible Andrea providing vocals.
“We take you on a very deep, personal journey that is full of celebration. You get to see the lifetime of dance that Carlos and I have trained our whole lives for. We hope to give you escapism, but also leave you inspired. This tour won’t be coming back, so this is your only chance to come and celebrate with us!”
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