Strictly's Amy Dowden reacts to Kate Middleton's cancer video with five-word statement

Strictly Come Dancing ’s Amy Dowden has truly been to hell and back in the past year, since a shock diagnosis of stage three breast cancer last May turned her world upside down. Thankfully, the Welsh dancer responded well to treatment, revealing back in February that she had “no evidence of disease”. Her bravery and openness as she battled the scary disease has raised awareness as she spoke of her cancer journey, endearing her even more in the nation’s hearts.

When we caught up with Amy on the red carpet at the National Television Awards at London’s O2 Arena, looking effortlessly glamorous with her beautiful pixie hairstyle and wearing a stunning pink dress, it’s clear the Welsh beauty is entering a whole new chapter of her life.

The 34-year-old professional dancer from Caerphilly looks blooming with health and visibly excited as she chats about what the future holds for her.

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“It’s just so brilliant to be back,” she says. “It feels wonderful to be dancing, which is what I love more than anything, and celebrating that – and the amazing show that is Strictly in its 20th year.”

She also reflects emotionally on how much she’s been through in the last 16 months, and how it has changed her outlook on life forever.

“I’m just so lucky to have got through cancer,” she reflects. “I say, don’t take tomorrow for granted. We don’t know what’s around the corner. So be present, be in the moment, do what you love – and most importantly, spend time with the people you love.”

Speaking of which, Amy was accompanied to the glitzy event by her good friend, fellow Strictly pro
Carlos Gu, who made quite the statement in a frilly red skirt, and who, Amy admits, “took longer to get ready than me – but it’s OK, because he looks fab-u-lous!”

Clearly in awe of his pal as he hugs her tightly, Chinese dance champion Carlos adds, “When I think of everything Amy’s been through in the past year, and just look at her now – I mean, she’s unbelievable!”

The pair, who have become firm friends since meeting on the hit BBC show, have taken that friendship to the next level and are planning their own dance show tour in 2025, aptly titled Reborn .

Explaining the concept behind the show, Carlos says, “It’s about the journeys we’ve both been on. We have a great friendship together and Amy has been through so much – and I also, in the last few years, feel like I’ve found my true self in this great country. I’ve really connected with my sexuality, my dancing, and I have a friend for life in Amy. Her family has adopted me!”

“It’s totally true,” laughs Amy. “He even spent last Christmas with us all. We were drinking Bucks Fizz on Christmas morning, as you do, and Carlos was like, ‘I can’t believe how much you guys drink, haha!’”

Amy was warmly welcomed back into the S trictly fold at Elstree Studios on Saturday night. The show paid tribute to the brave dancer as she performed an empowering quickstep as her emotional and celebratory comeback dance, wearing hot pink for breast cancer awareness.

She confesses that, after this dark time in her life, she is finally feeling like herself once more – and her philosophy on her long recovery is inspiring.

“I do feel stronger. In the last few weeks, I feel like me again,” she says. “It’s been much harder than I realised, getting myself back to it. I think I was a bit deluded. After finishing chemo in November, I thought I’d be fine by Christmas – but no, it’s taken me a long time.

“But it’s about patience, remembering this too shall pass. Don’t get bitter, get better. And just being back in the Strictly family, I feel like myself again.”

The star says the Princess of Wales’ recent video, in which she opened up candidly about her “tough” recovery from cancer, connected with her deeply.

“It really resonated with me,” Amy says. “I think it would with anybody who’s been through cancer. I think Kate is amazing and her message was beautiful.”

Amy’s own gruelling battle with breast cancer forced the former British Latin Dance Champion to step away from the show she loves so much for its 21st season, as she underwent treatment.

The star has been married since 2022 to her professional dance dancer, Ben Jones. She was initially diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023, after discovering a lump in her breast the night before the couple went on their belated honeymoon.

Just six days after her devastating diagnosis, she invited the cameras into her life to shoot Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me , a powerful documentary that sees Amy put her heart on the line.

Opening up about the gruelling fertility treatment she underwent – as chemotherapy can affect a woman’s fertility – she revealed her amazement at learning embryologists had frozen five of her embryos, giving the couple hope they could one day start a family.

“There are five little Amys and Bens in the freezer!” she declared, excited after receiving the call.

But, after hoping surgery would cure her, two months after her initial diagnosis, Amy was told doctors had found “more tumours” and “another type of cancer”. She went on to have a mastectomy and chemotherapy, as well as her fertility treatment.

In addition, Amy suffers from the debilitating effects of Crohn’s disease, about which she also made a documentary in 2020 – Strictly Amy: Crohn’s And Me – for which she accepted an MBE for services to Crohn’s disease, “on behalf” of those who live with the incurable inflammatory bowel disease.

Yet, despite going through so much – especially for someone still only in her mid-thirties – her fighting spirit and sunny personality continue to shine through.

Following news of her Strictly return, Amy revealed, “It feels like it’s my first year again. I’m buzzing to see the whole team, for the costumes, the dance routines, to meet the celebrities, the judges. Everyone’s laughing at me because I’m just smiling constantly.”

Keep smiling, Amy. And keep dancing…