Amy Dowden's Dance Journey and Cancer Battle
Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden recalls the pivotal moment that ignited her passion for dance. At just eight years old, while holidaying at her grandfather's caravan in Cornwall, she convinced her twin sister Rebecca to enter a disco dancing competition. Despite having no prior experience, the sisters clinched first prize, sparking a lifelong love affair with the art form.
"I loved it. My medallion, the spotlight, the music, the attention… just everything," Amy reveals. "For the entire holiday, I begged my parents to take me dancing. And from that first dance class, I didn't stop. I danced in the supermarket, in school and on my lunch breaks."
Overcoming Stage Three Breast Cancer
The past year has been an emotional rollercoaster for the 35-year-old dancer, who joined Strictly in 2017. In early 2023, Amy was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and hormone therapy. By March 2024, she joyfully announced there was "no evidence of disease" remaining.
Her return to Strictly in September 2025 was bittersweet; she and partner Thomas Skinner were the first couple eliminated, but it marked a triumphant comeback. However, a foot injury later forced her withdrawal while paired with The One Show presenter JB Gill.
In November 2025, Amy underwent a second mastectomy as a preventative measure. During her darkest days, she feared cancer might end her career, but she fought back with determination. "After what happened in 2023 and 2024, I realised I wasn't ready or well enough to be on the show," she admits. "I either had to hang up my dance shoes or dig deep. So I worked hard to get my body back to where it was before."
Motherhood Hopes and Personal Resilience
Amy, who married fellow dancer Ben Jones in 2022, faced an early, hormone-induced menopause due to chemotherapy. The couple has frozen five embryos, but uncertainty looms over whether she can safely carry a child. "Obviously, there is a big, dark cloud over me. Will I become a mother? I've wanted to be a mummy since I was a little girl," she shares. "But we will cross that bridge when it comes to it and I will explore every option going."
She credits her strength to her mother, who also battled breast cancer but "never let it define her." On World Cancer Day, Amy expressed gratitude for the support she received, sharing clips of her journey to inspire others. "Sometimes sharing yourself at your most vulnerable is not easy, but I also want to show the reality and try to help others," she explains.
Reborn Tour with Carlos Gu
Amy is now preparing for the "Reborn" tour with fellow Strictly dancer and close friend Carlos Gu, starting in May. The show's title poignantly reflects their personal hardships. Carlos, who won Strictly with former footballer Karen Carney, discusses growing up gay in China, where LGBTQ rights are limited. "Being LGBTQ isn't easy in China," he says. "I wasn't given the opportunity to really be myself. Growing up, you're fighting within yourself to find your identity, but here I feel more myself than ever."
Despite settling in the UK, Carlos finds dating challenging. "It's horrendous," he laughs. "I'm so fed up with people saying, 'They will come when you least expect it.' I've been least expecting it for three years!" He dreams of West End singing roles, seeing it as a way to express himself beyond dance.
A Deep and Supportive Friendship
Amy and Carlos share a bond forged through adversity. "Carlos cares deeply and when I've been ill, he's been there in the ambulance with me," Amy says. "He's become part of my family. He calls my mum 'Mama' and dad 'Papa'. It's like a brother and sister relationship."
She adds, "I just love how true he is to himself. He only ever does something that he is passionate about or truly believes in, and I think in this day and age that can be quite difficult to find."
Teasing their tour, Amy describes it as "a real celebration of everything we've overcome and how we feel reborn in the last few years. We dig deep into everything we've been through, but also how dance has been our saviour. It's emotional but uplifting, and hopefully it leaves people feeling inspired."
