Amy Dowden has shared a health update ahead of her return to Strictly Come Dancing, saying she feels "the fittest, the healthiest, the strongest" she has ever been. The professional dancer is preparing for the BBC One show's 2026 series, with rehearsals already underway.
Early return to screens
Amy has already returned to screens earlier than expected, appearing in the new series of Celebrity Hunted on Channel 4. The programme, filmed last year for the channel's charity initiative Stand Up To Cancer, sees Amy team up with her Strictly co-star and friend Carlos Gu. Together, they and other celebrity duos attempt to outsmart some of the world's most skilled intelligence agencies to see how difficult it is to stay off the radar as a fugitive.
Health journey and emotional moments
Amy's participation comes after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, at age 32, after finding a lump the day before her honeymoon with husband Benjamin Jones. During the series, she spoke to her Strictly pal and fellow fugitive while staying with dancing co-star Neil Jones, his now-wife Chyna Mills, and their daughter Havana. She said, wiping away tears: "Obviously I've always wanted the honour of being a mum, and obviously I don't know if that's going to be possible."
Reflecting on her experience, Amy told the Celebrity Hunted cameras: "A cancer diagnosis changes your life forever. I just got married, I had my whole life ahead of me and all of a sudden, my world fell apart right in front of me. But I've been given another shot at life, and I want to embrace it and take every opportunity that comes my way."
Amy underwent gruelling chemotherapy and had two mastectomies. She also returns to hospital once a month for preventative treatment, having been diagnosed with a hormone-fed cancer. One of these visits took place during filming for Celebrity Hunted.
Comfortable speaking about treatment
Amy has since told The Independent that she now feels comfortable speaking about her treatment on screen. "I don't really find it hard now, revisiting it, because I'm at the hospital once a month," she said. "It's part of my routine now. I celebrate now how far I've come, how strong I feel, how healthy I am, and I'm just grateful really, and honoured to feel this way. I'm forever in gratitude to the wonderful healthcare workers who've looked after me, the nurses, doctors, you name it, every healthcare worker. They are our true unsung heroes."
Asked how she is feeling before the launch of Strictly's 2026 run, Amy said: "Honestly, I feel the fittest, the healthiest, the strongest I've ever been, Carlos knows you've just been on tour with me." She turned to him and asked: "How would you say I am?"
Carlos responded: "I feel like everything that she went through somehow made her stronger mentally and physically. It made her realise she loves dancing, coming back and dancing and being on stage. We finished touring a month ago and she was just incredible. She looked the best and she feels the best. I think being through something so severe makes you cherish what you have more."
