Strictly's Amy Dowden recalls fearing cancer had 'taken her' as she reflects on cancer battle
Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden took to Instagram on Sunday (30.11.25) and shared a poignant post comparing "the lowest she's ever been" with her current happy self.
Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden feared cancer had "taken [her]" as she reflects on her cancer battle in an emotional post comparing "the lowest she's ever been" with her current happy self.
The 35-year-old professional dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, had a mastectomy and underwent chemotherapy following the diagnosis.
She received the all-clear in February 2024, and Amy recently underwent a second mastectomy.
On Sunday (30.11.25) night, Amy took to Instagram and shared a photo from 2023 of her lying in a hospital bed, having lost her hair, with a cannula visible in her hand, as well as an accompanying image of her two years later, looking much healthier and joyful as she posed in a mirror selfie.
In the post's caption, the star heartbreakingly recalled thinking cancer would cause her to "never be the same again" and "hang my dancing shoes up".
And she thanked her husband, Ben Jones, and her Strictly Come Dancing co-professional dancer, Carlos Gu, 32, for ensuring Amy could keep dancing.
The star penned: "EXACTLY two years apart THIS WEEKEND. When I see memories like this it makes me so very proud.
"The bottom picture was after I was rushed into hospital via ambulance very poorly. I didn’t know at the time but I had another blood clot on the lung but also all the sides effects of eight rounds of gruelling chemotherapy.
"I still remember now as I entered the ambulance I turned to Ben and my dear friend and said cancer has taken me, I’ll never be the same again, ill never dance again ( i was at at the lowest point I’d ever been). My foot also broken and I couldn’t see how I could ever get the old Amy back.
"Pic 2 two years later exactly, after a year of two dancing tours, strictly and fabulous opportunities, but most importantly three weeks after another mastectomy. It didn’t come easy, after a year of real hard work but it got me feeling like me again (sic)."
She continued: "I’m posting this to show it’s POSSIBLE. Yes it’s been hard but I DID IT. I wish I rewarded myself more along the way. But gosh am I so proud of how far Ive had to dig deep, especially in the past 12 months.
"A year ago I thought cancer took my dancing, I told myself I needed to hang my dancing shoes up but my darling husband Ben and @gkx_carlos proved and made sure it didn’t. (sic)"
Amy returned to Strictly Come Dancing in September, but it was short-lived after she and her celebrity dance partner, The Apprentice 2019 candidate Thomas Skinner, 34, were first to be eliminated.
And she is thankful to everyone who has supported her through her cancer battle.
Amy concluded her caption with: "Tonight I raise a glass to the past year, working hard, allowing my passion of dance to save me along with my incredible medical team, family and friends.
"Thank you. I love you all endlessly. Cancer you didn’t take and will not take who I am! (sic)"
