Amy Dowden of Strictly Come Dancing has told how one of her co-stars’ encouragement helped her overcome the agony of hair loss in time for her performance on Saturday’s episode.
The 33-year-old professional dancer disclosed earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and has since been having treatment while keeping followers updated on social media.
Amy had a single mastectomy and is now undergoing chemotherapy after doctors discovered new malignancies, forcing her to leave Strictly 2023.
However, she recently surprised fans by appearing as a surprise guest on Saturday’s broadcast to spell out the voting terms and conditions.
Her co-stars clapped and cheered as she walked down the red carpet in a stunning white gown.
Amy recently released a video of herself bravely shaving her head after suffering from catastrophic hair loss.
However, Amy elected not to wear a wig for the surprise visit at the last minute, and she has now revealed who persuaded her to do so.
‘I found losing my hair really traumatic, and no matter how much I prepared myself for it, I couldn’t even brush my own hair in the end because I couldn’t see with the amount that was coming out,’ Amy explained to Janette Manrara on Wednesday’s It Takes Two.
‘I couldn’t even look in the mirror in the end because I was bald on top, and one night I told my family and Ben, I’m shaving it tomorrow, and we did it, my friends and family got together and we all did it together and tried to make it as fun as possible.’
Speaking about Saturday’s Strictly, Amy continued: ‘My wig wasn’t ready for the dress run, because last time I worn it I had hair at Strictly.’
Amy went on to claim that the choice to appear without a wig was heavily influenced by Dianne Buswell, who writes her on a daily basis.
She said: ‘Diane was just going on at me all day, saying “you look so beautiful, don’t wear your head scarf,” and I went out and did the dress run and I just realised that this Strictly family treated me no different.
‘They just give me so much love and support, and I spoke to production beforehand.
‘The hair and makeup girls were just going “Don’t wear the wig, you look better without it, come on Amy!”‘
‘I just felt really liberated,’ she added.
Amy confessed she was ‘nervous’ about going on TV without her wig, and she didn’t notify her family or husband because it was such a last-minute choice.
‘I’m so glad I did it,’ she added. ‘It doesn’t matter if I have my wig or not!’
Dianne had hinted that Amy might be returning to Strictly shortly.
On It Takes Two with Fleur East and celebrity boyfriend Bobby Braizer on Monday (October 9), the Aussie actress broke out laughing as she mentioned Amy’s presence on Saturday.
‘It was so exciting to have Amy back with us. It felt like Strictly just felt right again,’ Dianne said sweetly.
‘I text her so many times to say, “I really miss you here”, and to have her there was very, very special.’
Dianne then teased: ‘She will be back with us full-time very soon, so I can’t wait for that moment.’
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC One and iPlayer, while It Takes Two airs weeknights on BBC 2.
Breast cancer symptoms
The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast.
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
