Amy Dowden has revealed that her cancer battle nearly made her quit dancing. The Strictly Come Dancing professional was forced to withdraw from the 2024 series due to an injury, which was her first season back after her cancer diagnosis in 2023.
Amy's 'ultimate low'
In an interview with New magazine, Amy said: "I returned to Strictly, but I was feeling all the effects of chemotherapy, cancer, and I had no self-confidence. I'd been pulled out of Strictly and was ready to hang up my dancing shoes, but it was Carlos and Ben, my husband, who gave me that tough love, that motivation to make sure I didn't."
Amy added: "I was at an ultimate low. My husband and Carlos got my confidence back, made sure that the cancer didn't take my dancing away from me, along with everything else."
Cancer as a 'life sentence'
Amy went through chemotherapy and two mastectomies, and she reflected on how the illness remains a "life sentence". She said: "I think people think that once you've rung the bell, your cancer journey is over. I was stupid enough to think that, but it really isn't. Unfortunately, a cancer diagnosis is like a life sentence, basically. I hope me showing this starts conversations with people at home."
Carlos Gu's bond with Amy
Amy is currently on Celebrity Hunted with Carlos, who has disclosed that he developed such a profound connection with his Strictly co-star due to his family's own experience with cancer. The Chinese dancer said: "The main reason we've so bonded together is the moment she had cancer. I felt it because my granny and my very close cousin, they both died from cancer. That was the moment that made me realise, 'Oh, I really love her.' I was devastated."
He added: "I clicked with Amy on so many human levels. When I first came to the UK, Amy was one of the people who really helped me. So of course I was going to be there for her when she needed me the most."
