Dowden’s joy at return to dancefloor
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has danced for the first time since her cancer treatment – after landing a new role on ITV show Lorraine.
The star, from Caerphilly, got up on stage with the cast of West End show Mamma Mia to show everyone her dance moves.
ITV’s Lorraine invited her to go backstage at the Novello Theatre after she was revealed as a new reporter on the show.
She said was really excited to dance again after she had to stop due to her cancer. Before she danced on stage she added: “I am just itching to get on that stage and do some dance moves.”
She learned how to dance to Abba’s Dancing Queen from the show’s choreographer. She did the dance perfectly in a rehearsal.
One of those who saw her dance told the Mirror: “It was quite the moment when Amy got up to dance... and she obviously blew everyone away with just how good she is. It’s been such a long journey for her but she has never lost any of her sparkle.”
Amy found out she had breast cancer in May 2023 and couldn’t be on Strictly later that year. The professional dancer has shared her journey throughout her treatment, telling fans how she’s been doing since her mastectomy and chemotherapy.
She said on Lorraine: “I’ll need to go back to the chemo ward once a month for an injection. It’s a brutal injection.
“I’ve got a hormone-fed cancer so if that keeps my hormones at bay and stops feeding it then it’s worthwhile.”
“I’ve got another shot of life. I’m so grateful and happy and I wake up every day and say ‘thank you’ because not everyone gets to do it. Along the way I’ve made ‘pink sister friends’ that aren’t going to get that news so I do really appreciate it and I’m going to grab life.”
She’s also excited about the chance to dance again on Strictly Come Dancing this autumn.
“I would love to return, to be back with my Strictly family,” she said.
“It’s what makes my dancing heart happy so that’s the goal. Obviously we don’t know yet who’s back but that is the dream.”
She added: “I know it’s going to be a long process to get back on that dancefloor but I know I’ll enjoy every step of the way too.
“The Strictly family has and always has and always will hold a special place in my heart.”
You can catch Amy on Lorraine on Thursday from 9am on ITV1 and on catch-up on ITVX.