Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has opened up about her secret health battle with Crohn's disease, a condition she has managed since childhood but was only diagnosed at age 19.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning, the 28-year-old dancer said she does not want sympathy but hopes to raise awareness. She has only confided in a few co-stars and the production team about her illness.
Dowden, who has been paired with Brian Conley and Danny John-Jules on the show, admitted that fellow pros Oti Mabuse and Dianne Buswell have witnessed her symptoms. 'Sometimes they'll see me and think Amy is down today. Deep down I think they know,' she said.
On whether the condition could affect live shows, Dowden said it is a possibility, but added that anyone could fall ill or suffer an injury. 'There's always a back up plan. I talk to the production team and we're on top of it,' she explained.
The dancer was inspired to campaign after receiving a letter from nine-year-old Lacey, who thanked her for speaking out. Dowden suffered crippling symptoms as a child, including extreme pain and vomiting, and was in and out of hospital before her diagnosis.
She ended the interview by confirming she would return for this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing.
