STRICTLY Come Dancing will pay tribute to Amy Dowden as she returns to the dancefloor after her cancer battle.
The dancer, 34, had to leave the show after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year.
In what became the toughest year of her life, Amy took over 15 months to make a full recovery.
During that time, she underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment, and nearly died from sepsis.
But after being given the all clear earlier this year, the star is set to join her fellow professional dancers in a celebratory group dance to mark her return.
The stunning quickstep routine, choreographed by Jason Gilkison, will be aired during the BBC show’s series 20 launch in September.
Amy is set to wow in symbolic pink and take centre stage as she performs with her pals.
It will be dedicated to those currently fighting cancer as well as her fellow “pink sisters”.
The group will perform to a medley of Training Season by Dua Lipa, Busy Earnin’, Candle Flame and Keep Moving all by Jungle, and by Jungle and Eric the Architect, as played by Dave Arch and his band.
Speaking about her return, Amy said: “I am so excited for every element of being back with my Strictly family.
“I am so grateful to get this opportunity, especially as it’s such a special year for this legendary show. It feels like it’s my first year again.”
She added: “I’m buzzing to see the whole team, for costumes, for dance routines, to meet the celebrities, the judges.
“Everyone’s laughing at me because I am just smiling constantly.
“I’d like to dedicate this dance to my pink sisters who have supported me through the past year and to all those currently facing cancer.”
Strictly’s Executive Producer, Sarah James added: “We are all so incredibly happy that Amy is back in the Strictly Ballroom.
“She will bring her sparkle, passion for dance, creative choreography and Welsh charm. Welcome back Amy, let’s make it the best year yet!”
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…
