Amy Dowden has insisted Strictly Come Dancing is not changing, crediting the show with getting her through the “darkest of times” as she prepares to return for the new series.
The Welsh professional dancer is coming back to the BBC competition as it makes its comeback with new presenters replacing Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, a host of new professional dancers, and a controversial line-up.
Fans have expressed concern over the new series, calling the casting—which includes Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters and Love Island winner Cach Mercer—“the worst ever” and fearing it signals the end of Strictly.
Amy's message to fans
Speaking to Mail Online, Amy said: “We need to remember the core of Strictly is not changing.”
She went on: “That competition, watching the celebrities learn to dance before every weekend, that's not changing and that's the heart and the reason why Strictly has been so successful for over the last two decades.
“I'm so proud to be part of that show and it's got me through the darkest of times and I'm not sure where I would be right now without Strictly.”
She added: “The celebrities are so lovely and they're so good. We're in for a good series, let me tell you. I think it's gonna be one that you can't call it, it's gonna be so tight and so tough.”
Cancer battle and return
Amy’s pride in the show comes after she documented her cancer battle, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 after finding a lump while on her honeymoon. She missed a year of Strictly and shared updates with fans as she underwent chemotherapy and treatment, and shaved her head.
She also revealed that after a single mastectomy, doctors discovered tumours and Amy was left “extremely sick”. She suffered a near-death experience and went into septic shock, and was rushed to intensive care during treatment.
In February 2024, Amy announced she had “no evidence of disease” and fronted an NTA-nominated documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, following her health battle and fertility journey as a consequence of the treatment.
Strictly journey so far
She returned to Strictly and was partnered with JB Gill, but was forced to drop out again after a leg injury left her unable to maintain her spot in the competition.
Amy then made her return last year with Thomas Skinner, but the pair were the first voted out of the competition.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
