Strictly Star Amy Dowden's Heartbreaking Cancer Journey
Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has delivered an emotional and candid account of her devastating health ordeal, revealing she endured a period where she felt she had "lost everything." The dancer, diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2023, underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy, facing profound personal and professional challenges.
A Devastating Diagnosis and Treatment
Dowden's cancer journey began in 2023 with her stage three breast cancer diagnosis. She subsequently embarked on a gruelling course of chemotherapy followed by a mastectomy. In late 2025, she disclosed the need for a second mastectomy, clarifying this decision was not due to a new illness but represented a fresh medical approach following consultations with her healthcare team.
Throughout this period, Dowden has maintained remarkable transparency about her struggles, sharing her experiences publicly to raise awareness and support others facing similar battles.
The Professional and Personal Toll
Appearing on ITV's James Martin's Saturday Morning on April 11 alongside fellow professional dancer Carlos Gu, Dowden described the immense difficulty of her treatment phase. "It was a really tough time," she confessed, detailing how her chemotherapy coincided with the Strictly professionals preparing group numbers and celebrity announcements.
"I should have been there but instead I started gruelling chemotherapy," Dowden explained, highlighting the cruel timing. "It was really hard. I had what I love most, taken away from me after I worked all my life to get onto that show."
Moments of Doubt and Resilience
The dancer admitted there were "many a time" when she doubted she would ever return to the dance floor, even considering giving up. Carlos Gu, her co-star on the Reborn 2.0 tour, interjected to reveal the depth of her struggle, noting, "Sometimes she would come to mine crying not knowing what she was going forward to and she wasn't really comfortable with herself."
Dowden summarised this period starkly: "I lost everything." However, Gu praised her resilience, stating, "She fought for it and I can see all the progress she did. She's a fighter!" He credited last year's tour with helping restore her confidence.
Ongoing Praise for Her Strength
Earlier in the week, on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast, Carlos Gu again heaped praise on Dowden, describing her as "so strong." Thornton highlighted how, throughout battles with Crohn's disease and breast cancer, Dowden "doesn't stop battling, trying and dancing." Gu affirmed this, adding, "No never, she's so positive."
James Martin’s Saturday Kitchen airs every Saturday at 10:30am on ITV1. Amy Dowden's openness continues to inspire many, showcasing her determination amidst profound adversity.
