Amy Dowden, the 33-year-old professional dancer from Strictly Come Dancing, has opened up about her recent health battle and how she turned to her Strictly family for support. Last year, while filming the second series of her BBC show Dare To Dance, Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer. Determined not to let it hold her back, she reached out to her fellow Strictly co-stars for help.
Dianne Buswell, Graziano Di Prima, and Oti Mabuse stepped up to assist with the filming of Dare To Dance. Amy expressed her gratitude, saying, “We called upon the help of my fellow Strictly friends, my Strictly family. I called them and straight away they wanted to do all they could to help me.” The dance professionals kept Amy informed about the progress of the show by sending her sweet messages and even FaceTiming her.
Amy revealed that she couldn’t bear the thought of letting down the couples involved in the Dare to Dance process, especially Debbie and Chris, who had moved up their wedding due to a cancer diagnosis. “How could I tell Debbie and Chris I’m going to do your wedding dance and then not be able to deliver it? It would have been heartbreaking for me,” she said.
Amy not only praised her co-stars but also acknowledged the support from the production crew. She called her friends “incredible” and commended them for helping her fulfill her commitments. “I’m just so proud that we were able to continue, and that’s down to the amazing production crew as well as my incredible friends. We managed to get it all filmed before I started chemo. And for me, honestly, it was the tonic I needed right then as well.”
Reflecting on why she turned to her Strictly friends for help, Amy emphasized their expertise in dance. She referred to them as “masters” and explained how she matched them with the Dare to Dance stars based on compatibility. “They are masters at this because my show is taking two non-dancers to perform, which is exactly like what we do on Strictly, isn’t it? So, of course, I know my Strictly pros, I know them inside out. They’re my best friends as well,” Amy shared.
Amy expressed her gratitude for her Strictly family and their willingness to assist. “I hope that shows everybody what a Strictly family we really are. When anyone needs help, we are all there for each other. We truly care about one another, and I would have done it for each and every one of them as well. They are incredibly busy, but they were like, ‘What can we do? We’ll make it happen’,” she said.
Amy’s inspiring story of resilience and the bond she shares with her Strictly family is a testament to the support and love that can be found in unexpected places.
