First look at Strictly’s Amy Dowden’s heartbreaking BBC doc chronicling cancer battle ahead of return to the dancefloor
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has shared a first look at her emotional documentary following her difficult battle with cancer.
The pro dancer was forced to withdraw from the BBC contest last year as a result of being diagnosed with breast cancer aged just 32.
Amy was left floored to discover she had the illness after finding a lump in her breast the night before jetting away on honeymoon.
Taking a brave leap of faith, just six days after being diagnosed with the terrible disease, Amy signed on to star in a warts-and-all documentary with the BBC chronicling the uncertain battle ahead of her.
Faced with the possibilities of surgery, chemotherapy and cancer treatments, the pro dancer agreed to lay bare the reality of a young woman living with cancer for the intimate programme.
The past 15 months of Amy’s life have been packaged together for the eye-opening documentary which Amy hopes can be used as a tool of inspiration for others going through a similar situation.
New first-look images from the BBC series show Amy in hospital undergoing a variety of treatments as part of her battle.
Speaking about deciding to let the cameras into her life and follow her journey, Amy said: “A year ago I was recently married and about to go on honeymoon, it was an exciting new chapter in my life, but finding a lump on my breast changed my life…
“I never thought at my age I would get cancer and, despite having family members and friends who were cancer survivors, had no idea just what the impact on my life would be.
“I’ve learnt so much about myself and what a cancer diagnosis means on this journey.
“I hope others find hope and strength from this film, and that it encourages everyone to check themselves, no matter what age you are.”
One of the show’s producers, Paul Islwyn Thomas, said: “We’re all so grateful to Amy, her family and friends, for allowing Wildflame [production company] to be with her in what has been the most challenging time of her life.
“Without Amy’s openness and candour, we would not have been able to make the film we have made.
“It’s been a huge privilege for our team, led by Jacci Parry, to have been with Amy every step of the way and to be able to share her inspirational and personal story with a wide audience on the BBC. Amy truly is one amazing lady.”
Amy is hoping to make a full-time return to the BBC dancefloor this year after confirming in February of this year that a new check-up revealed there was “no evidence” of the disease being present.
As a result of her type of cancer, Amy won’t be able to given the all-clear for five years but confesses that being declared “cancer-free” was her “biggest achievement yet”.
Amy said earlier this year: “I won’t be getting the all clear for five years – especially with a hormone fed cancer – but it was all worth it.”
Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me airs Monday 26th August on BBC iPlayer.
Strictly Amy's cancer 'nightmare'
The Sun's Jamie Downham takes a look at the beloved Strictly star's ups and downs...
AS Strictly Come Dancing viewers know, you’ll struggle to catch Amy Dowden without a huge smile on her face.
But recently the Welsh star – one the best-rated Ballroom and Latin American professional dancers the UK has ever produced – has suffered a string of “nightmare” blows to her health.
She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year and underwent a full mastectomy, before having chemotherapy towards the end of 2023.
However, she later reported docs had found a clot on her lung, telling fans sadly: “Unfortunately I’ve had another nightmare this week.”
Nonetheless, brave Amy, seen here dancing with James Bye, made an epic return to Strictly the following month with an appearance that left many viewers in floods tears.
As 2024 dawned, she admitted: “I feel I was robbed of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry.”
However, she was soon smiling again. Amy, her hair starting to grow back after her cancer treatment, was seen messing around with her co-stars Dianne Buswell and Vito Coppola on the Strictly tour earlier this month.
And despite another spell in hospital in February, she still mustered a cheeriness many would struggle for, telling fans: “The sun is shining – and I certainly can’t wait for Spring.”
And we certainly can’t wait to see you dancing again, Amy…