Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has revealed that she 'mentally hit rock bottom' at the end of 2024, following a series of health challenges. The 35-year-old dancer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy before being declared in remission in February 2024.
Dowden made her return to Strictly last year but was forced to withdraw after fracturing her foot and collapsing backstage. Speaking to Closer Magazine, she said: 'By the end of 2024 I was mentally at rock bottom. I'd broken my bones, I'd lost my hair and my body had been through so much.' She added that her confidence hit 'an all-time low' and she considered giving up dancing entirely.
However, Dowden said returning to the studio has given her 'a new lease of life'. She explained: 'It gave me my spark back. Dance is the therapy I didn't realise I needed.' The dancer also underwent a second mastectomy in November as a precautionary measure after seeing changes in her scans. She said the procedure was successful and that it was '100 per cent the right decision'.
Dowden is now preparing for the second leg of her Reborn tour with co-star Carlos Gu and is looking forward to returning for the 2026 series of Strictly, which will mark her tenth year on the show. She told ITV News: 'I'm doing really, really well.' The new series will also feature returning professionals and judges, with new hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe taking over presenting duties.
