Strictly Come Dancing confirms Amy Dowden's return following cancer battle
Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed that professional dancer Amy Dowden is returning to the show.
The 33-year-old was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023, and her treatment meant she couldn't take part in last year’s series.
While the Welsh star did make special appearances on the show, she made no secret of her desire to return full-time as she kept fans up-to-date on her treatment and health.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, Dowden declared “my heart is so happy” as she shared the news with her 661k followers.
"I'm so happy and grateful to be back on @bbcstrictly,” she penned alongside a clip showing her happy face in a TV monitor set to the famous Strictly theme song.
"MY HEART IS SO HAPPY. The best team on and off the dance floor. I can’t wait to be back doing what I love most in the world, dancing!” the caption continued,
"Feel blessed and more excited than EVER. Bring it on! Thank you @bbcstrictly for your support always. Eeeeeekkk #amysback #strictlycomedancing #letsdothis #excited #cantwait #myheartissohappy."
Dowden revealed in February that while tests had shown “no evidence of disease”, she wouldn’t officially be given the all-clear for five years.
She wrote: "NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of! My biggest accomplishment yet!
"I won’t be getting the all clear for 5 years especially with a hormone fed cancer. But it was all worth it. Words I never thought I’d hear at one point.
"So grateful for all the care I received and continue to have.
"To my husband, family and friends who supported me unconditionally and to you guys! Thank you!"
Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to screens for its 22nd series in September.
One familiar face who won’t be in the line-up however is Giovanni Pernice, who is currently being investigated for “misconduct”.
The Italian professional dancer, 33, has been on the BBC One show since 2015 when he reached the grand final with Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote.
It was reported that the BBC recently launched an internal investigation after her was accused of “threatening and abusive behaviour” towards former celebrity partners. Pernice previously rejected allegations of “abusive or threatening behaviour” and said he looks “forward to clearing my name”.
