Amy Dowden astonished her Strictly Come Dancing family upon the start of rehearsals for the 2023 season, which is imminent.
Dowden, 32, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and despite her determination, the professional dancer announced on Friday that she would not be participating in this year’s series after physicians discovered additional tumours.
Nothing could prevent her from joining the other Strictly professionals for rehearsals, as she disrupted their training and posed for a massive photo with Giovanni Pernice, Karen Bauer, and Dianna Buswell.
Beside the snap, she wrote: ‘I surprised the gang! Just what I needed!
‘Seeing the @bbcstrictly family! Going to be an amazing series and I can’t wait to watch you all shine and be with you all when I can!’
She was immediately drenched in support, with former Strictly finalist Gemma Atkinson posting: ‘What a lovely photo.’
Numerous Strictly fans raced to the comments section to express how much they would miss Dowden when the show returns in the autumn.
Friday, during an Instagram Live with breast cancer survivor and Paralympic medalist Erin Kennedy, Dowden disclosed she would require chemotherapy due to the discovery of additional tumours after her mastectomy.
‘For me, my journey, everything changed,’ she said.
‘I was originally going to have a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. But then, after my MRI, they found another tumour so then it changed into a mastectomy and then, after my mastectomy, unfortunately, they found even more tumours.
‘They found another type of cancer and then they told me I needed chemo – for me that was a massive blow,’ she continued.
‘It wasn’t in the plan, originally – and I know the plan you can’t get fixated on.’
Confirming she was not going to be able to compete in this year’s Strictly, she added: ‘This year, it means I’m not going to be able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly, but I’m in such regular contact with the team – the BBC have just been utterly incredible.’
Dowden joined Strictly in 2017 and has been paired with McFly’s Tom Fletcher, EastEnders’ James Bye, and Coronation Street’s Brian Conley.
In 2019, she and Karim Zeroual placed second, losing to Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse.
How should you check your breasts for lumps or irregularities?
Discussing the importance of being breast aware, Addie Mitchell, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, wants women to know there is no right or wrong way to check your breasts.
‘It’s about looking and feeling regularly so any changes can be spotted quickly,’ she said. ‘The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment may be.
‘Whatever your age, being aware of all the signs and symptoms of breast cancer is crucial – it’s not just a lump to look out for. Other changes could be a nipple becoming inverted or a change in texture of the skin.
‘While most symptoms won’t mean breast cancer, if you notice anything unusual for you get it checked out by your GP.
‘Anyone with questions can call Breast Cancer Now’s nurses free on 0808 800 6000 or visit breastcancernow.org.uk.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year.
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.
