Amy Dowden has revealed a 'big step' she's taken ahead of her Strictly Come Dancing return as she made a 'trigger' admission. The Welsh native will be back on the BBC dancing competition in September for her 10th series as a professional dancer.
Strictly Come Dancing Changes
It's been a turbulent period for the annual BBC dancing competition, which will return in September. The series will be without Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who bowed out together in December. After months of rumours, The Voice's Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe were confirmed as their successors. Together, they are the first ever Strictly presenting trio.
There are also set to be a number of changes to the professional line-up this year, following several exits. As a result, the BBC previously confirmed new professionals would be recruited and announced closer to the dancing show's return in autumn to replace Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk, who have left Strictly.
Amy's Journey and Return
Thankfully, Wales native Amy is already confirmed to be part of the pro line-up. Also returning is Dianne Buswell, Julian Caillon, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola. Amy's return means she is celebrating her 10th series as a Strictly pro. The Welsh native is a four-time British national finalist who went on to become a British national champion, making her one of the highest-ranking Ballroom and Latin dancers in the UK.
Having grown up a fan of the series, Amy joined Strictly in 2017, initially paired with comedian and singer Brian Conley. Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 after she found a lump the day before her and husband Benjamin Jones' honeymoon.
Health Battle and Recovery
Amy, 35, had a mastectomy performed and underwent chemotherapy following the diagnosis. In spite of not having a dancer in 2023, Amy made a surprise return to the dancefloor during the grand finale, performing in the opening group number that year. In February 2024, Amy said that doctors told her there was 'no evidence of disease' and returned to the BBC dancing competition later that year with JB Gill. However, she was forced to withdraw through injury.
Last year saw Amy paired with The Apprentice's Thomas Skinner. However, the pair were the first couple eliminated following a dance-off with rugby player Chris Robshaw and Nadia Bychkova. Since then, Amy had a second mastectomy performed. The 35-year-old confirmed at the time that the procedure wasn't to treat a new cancer.
Overcoming Triggers
Consistently providing health updates for her fans, Amy took to Instagram on Saturday evening (July 18) to reveal how she's gotten over one of her 'triggers'. Sharing an image on her story, Amy revealed how doing a cold plunge helped her overcome memories of wearing a cold cap during chemotherapy. Cold caps, or scalp cooling systems, are worn before, during, and after chemotherapy infusions. They limit the chemotherapy drugs reaching hair follicles by narrowing blood vessels in the scalp, which helps prevent or reduce hair loss.
Amy wrote: 'For anyone who knows this is a big step for me! Since the cold cap during chemotherapy, cold has been a trigger! But another one up on you cancer! Proud of myself! Strictly is just around the corner and I'm working hard and so excited. May need to take bens cold plunge to London with me.'
