Strictly star Amy Dowden has opened her heart in a moving tribute, reflecting on the lowest point in her life compared to where she is today.
The passionate professional dancer, 35, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 and underwent extensive treatment including a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility preservation and a near-fatal battle with sepsis.
In February 2024, Amy was given the all-clear and has since returned to the show, where she has been paired with Thomas Skinner in this year’s series.
In a post shared on Sunday, the star posted a heart-wrenching photo from two years along with the heartfelt caption: ‘BREAKING TWO YEARS THIS WEEKEND. Seeing memories like this makes me so very proud…
‘The bottom picture was after I was rushed into hospital via ambulance very badly.
‘I can still remember now when I stepped into the ambulance I approached [my husband] Ben and my dear friend and said cancer has taken me, I will never be the same again, I will never dance again (I was at the lowest point I had ever been)….
‘My foot broke too and I couldn’t see how I could ever get the old Amy back. Picture 2 two years later exactly, after a year of two dance tours, strictly and amazing opportunities, but most importantly three weeks after another mastectomy…
‘It didn’t come easy after a year of hard work, but it made me feel like myself again. I am posting this to show that it is POSSIBLE. Yes it has been hard but I did it…
‘I wish I rewarded myself more along the way. But god how proud I am of how far I’ve had to dig deep, especially in the last 12 months…
‘A year ago I thought cancer was taking my dance, I told myself to hang up my dancing shoes but my beloved husband Ben and [fellow Strictly star] Carlos Gu proved and made sure it didn’t…
‘Tonight I raise a glass to the past year of working hard so that my passion for dance can save me along with my incredible medical team, family and friends. Thank you, I love you all to no end. Cancer, you did not take and will not take who I am!’
Last month, Amy shared another health update as she was two weeks into her second mastectomy.
