From being hospitalised to being diagnosed with cancer, Strictly star Amy Dowden has had to deal with several health issues over the years. However, that hasn’t stopped her from overcoming them and powering through.
The 34-year-old pro will be returning to Strictly this year after being forced to take time out. Here, as her new documentary Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me airs on BBC One tonight (August 26), we look at the health issues she has been dealing with behind the scenes.
Amy Dowden hospitalised after an unexpected Crohn’s flare-up
As many fans of Amy will be aware, she suffers from Crohn’s. However, while competing on Strictly in 2021, a flare-up of the condition led to her being immediately rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
Competing on the show with McFly star Tom Fletcher, she had to unfortunately miss a live show in the middle of the competition.
“Thanks for the all messages over the weekend,” Amy shared on Instagram, adding: “Unfortunately, I was missing from the show as I had an unexpected Crohn’s flare up and hospital admission in which I received unbelievable care.”
She continued: “I’m recovering very well and certainly being well looked after and look forward to returning to the dance floor.”
Amy Dowden diagnosed with breast cancer
In May 2023, Amy was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer at age 32 after discovering a lump in her breast the day before she went on her honeymoon with her husband Benjamin Jones.
Amy underwent a mastectomy that July. However, the cancer had unfortunately spread and she began a course of chemo.
Throughout her cancer journey, the Welsh dancer kept fans up to date with her progress on her Instagram page.
Amy began her treatment at the Sheldon Unit in Birmingham in August. After eight rounds of chemo, she was finally able to ring the traditional end-of-treatment bell in November.
“I’ve cried all morning!” she wrote on Instagram. “Right an afternoon of chemo and then I’m so lucky and grateful to be able to ring that bell! Will never take it for granted! Thank you to the incredible Sheldon Unit! You are all amazing NHS, all true heroes.”
As Amy continues to have check-ups, her most recent resulted in no signs of cancer.
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Amy Dowden’s fertility struggles
After being diagnosed with cancer, Amy found out she would no longer be able to have children naturally. While making an appearance on Spencer Matthews’ Big Fish podcast, she opened up about how devastated she was.
“[After hearing] the words: ‘Sorry, Amy, you have cancer,’ what I found harder was in the next sentence,” she said.
Amy continued: “You know, newly married, we’d only been married in July, and this was only in the spring now. And his next sentence was: ‘And what’s your fertility plans because unfortunately you’ve got a hormone-fed cancer? We’re going to have to shut down your hormones.’
“I’m sat there with my husband, and obviously children were on the radar or, you know, plans,” she added. “And that I think was like a double stab to the gut, and what I found probably harder than the words you have cancer.”
Amy froze her eggs
Fortunately for Amy and her husband Ben, doctors have found a solution for them to have children.
The NHS offers a service that once anyone is diagnosed with cancer can have the chance to have their eggs retrieved and frozen.
“Sometimes your body doesn’t respond, because you’re going through cancer,” Amy revealed. “I had a two-week window. And in that two-week window, we managed. And so we got embryos. Now we’ve got five little Amy and Bens.”
Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me airs on BBC One tonight (August 26) at 8pm.
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