AMY Dowden has revealed her return to Strictly was thrown into chaos after she faced a SECOND cancer scare.
The pro dancer, 34, ended up in the hospital once again after doctors raised concerns about abnormalities in her breast following a check-up.
Amy, who was twice diagnosed with cancer last year, said she faced sleepless nights as she waited for the results.
But thankfully, the star received the all-clear from her consultant and she could finally put her mind at rest.
Her recent health scare was captured by BBC cameras filming Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, which shows her journey from her initial diagnosis to her return to Strictly that autumn.
“It was a scare, such a worrying time,” Amy said.
“I’ll never forget them calling me to say we’re sorry but we’ve seen something we don’t like the look of.
“I was in disbelief, I thought I can’t go back through this again, I can’t miss Strictly again. My whole family were heartbroken.”
Amy was initially diagnosed with grade three breast cancer in May 2023 after finding a lump in her breast the day before she went on her honeymoon.
She hoped surgery would solve it, but two months later was told doctors had found “another type of cancer”.
It took the dancer over a year to make a full recovery, during which time she underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment, and nearly died from sepsis.
The past 15 months have been captured in a new documentary, which she hopes will serve as a source of inspiration for others facing similar challenges.
Speaking about deciding to let the cameras into her life and follow her journey, Amy said: “A year ago I was recently married and about to go on honeymoon, it was an exciting new chapter in my life, but finding a lump on my breast changed my life…
“I never thought at my age I would get cancer and, despite having family members and friends who were cancer survivors, had no idea just what the impact on my life would be.
“I’ve learnt so much about myself and what a cancer diagnosis means on this journey.
“I hope others find hope and strength from this film, and that it encourages everyone to check themselves, no matter what age you are.”
Back in May, Amy was thrilled to tell her fans that she was in remission and the race was on to be ready for Strictly.
She is now just days away from making her grand return to the ballroom for the series’ 20th anniversary special.
She said: “I’ve got a new body on that dance floor now. I’ve lost my speed, my stamina, my flexibility. My confidence has been knocked a lot, and I doubt myself, even now.
“I’ve had a mastectomy, fertility treatment, chemotherapy, sepsis, blood clots, a broken foot — but finally it’s time for me to be able to get back on that dance floor.
“Dancing is part of who I am. It’s in my blood, and I’m grateful to have the chance to dance again.”
Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me airs Monday at 8pm on BBC One.
The Sun's Jamie Downham takes a look at the beloved Strictly star's ups and downs...
AS Strictly Come Dancing viewers know, you’ll struggle to catch Amy Dowden without a huge smile on her face.
But recently the Welsh star – one the best-rated Ballroom and Latin American professional dancers the UK has ever produced – has suffered a string of “nightmare” blows to her health.
She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year and underwent a full mastectomy, before having chemotherapy towards the end of 2023.
However, she later reported docs had found a clot on her lung, telling fans sadly: “Unfortunately I’ve had another nightmare this week.”
Nonetheless, brave Amy, seen here dancing with James Bye, made an epic return to Strictly the following month with an appearance that left many viewers in floods tears.
As 2024 dawned, she admitted: “I feel I was robbed of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry.”
However, she was soon smiling again. Amy, her hair starting to grow back after her cancer treatment, was seen messing around with her co-stars Dianne Buswell and Vito Coppola on the Strictly tour earlier this month.
And despite another spell in hospital in February, she still mustered a cheeriness many would struggle for, telling fans: “The sun is shining – and I certainly can’t wait for Spring.”
And we certainly can’t wait to see you dancing again, Amy…
