Amy Dowden will be refraining from taking to the dancefloor for the next few weeks as the Strictly Come Dancing pro has revealed she needs a second mastectomy.
The Welsh professional dancer, who has candidly shared her health battles in recent years after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, shared the news in a heartfelt social media video on Monday morning.
Ms Dowden returned to Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year alongside Thomas Skinner after withdrawing from last year’s show prematurely with injury.
However, Ms Dowden’s stint on this year’s series was short-lived as she and Mr Skinner were the first couple eliminated from the ballroom following their Salsa.
Amy Dowden has previously undergone treatment for cancer
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INSTAGRAM/AMY DOWDENNevertheless, Ms Dowden remained an integral part of the Strictly team, lending her support from the Clauditorium every Saturday night and being on hand to step in should she be needed.
Sadly, now, Ms Dowden will be taking a break. She explained the decision in an Instagram post on Monday, in which she said: “Hey everyone, as you all know, I’ve always been very open about my health and the care I receive.
“So I’d like to start by being clear what I am about to share is not to treat a new cancer diagnosis.
“However, following a recent appointment with my incredible medical team, we’ve decided that I’ll be having another mastectomy this week.”
Despite the daunting news, Ms Dowden did her best to reassure her fans that she would soon be on the mend and eyeing a return to the ballroom soon.
She explained: “They’re confident that, all going well, I can expect a straightforward recovery.
“Once I have healed, I look forward to rejoining my Strictly family. Of course, I’m going to miss not being there so much but I will be watching from home and look forward to cheering everyone on.
“Thank you always for all the support. Welsh love Amy xxx,” the professional dancer signed off.
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Inevitably, it didn’t take long for Ms Dowden’s fans to rush to show their support, including a number of familiar faces and Strictly co-stars.
“Sending lots of love,” fellow pro Jowita Przystal shared alongside a series of love heart emojis, while Karen Hauer echoed: “Sending all the love.”
Dianne Buswell, who also found her time on this year’s series short-lived due to celebrity partner Stefan Dennis’s withdrawal through injury, weighed in: “We love you Amy.”
The aforementioned Mr Skinner also showed his support, taking to the comments: “Love ya Amy. Hope it all goes well. You are a legend.” (sic)
The second mastectomy comes after Ms Dowden’s cancer journey resulted in her finding “no evidence” of disease in February 2024.
Her health battles have also included a near-fatal battle with sepsis, and she’s already undergone rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy ahead of her upcoming surgery.
Elsewhere in the Strictly world, Ms Dowden was on hand to provide a supportive shoulder to model Ellie Goldstein after she became the latest star to be eliminated from the show.
Alongside pro dancer Vito Coppola, Ms Goldstein was voted off unanimously by the judges after facing Balvinder Sopal in the dreaded dance-off.
BBC Strictly: Amy Dowden was on hand to offer support as Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola said their farewells
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BBCSpeaking to Tess Daly about her exit from the show, Ms Goldstein paid particular tribute to her pro dance partner, Mr Coppola.
“I’ve enjoyed it so much! He is a kind person, and all I wanted from day one. You have been so heartwarming, thank you to you,” the actress and model said.