Strictly star Amy Dowden has opened her heart in a moving tribute, reflecting on the lowest point of her life compared to her current situation.
The passionate professional dancer, 35, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 and underwent extensive treatment, including mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility preservation and a near-fatal battle with sepsis.
In February 2024, Amy was given the go-ahead and has since returned to the show, where she was paired with Thomas Skinner in this year’s series.
In a post shared on Sunday, the star posted a heartbreaking image of two years ago along with a heartwarming caption: ‘EXACTLY two years apart THIS WEEKEND. When I see memories like this I feel very proud…
‘The image below is after I was taken by ambulance to the hospital in a very bad condition.
“I still remember that when I got into the ambulance I turned to [my husband] Ben and my dear friend said cancer had taken me, I will never be the same, I will never dance again (I was at the lowest point I had ever been)…
‘I also broke my foot and I didn’t see how I could get the old Amy back. Photo 2 two years later exactly, after a year of two dance tours, strict and fabulous opportunities, but most importantly, three weeks after another mastectomy…
‘It wasn’t easy, after a year of very hard work, but it made me feel like myself again. I am posting this to prove that it is POSSIBLE. Yes, it was difficult but I did it…
‘I wish I had rewarded myself more along the way. But gosh, I’m so proud of how deep I’ve had to dig, especially in the last 12 months…
‘A year ago I thought cancer had taken away my dancing, I told myself I needed to hang up my dancing shoes, but my dear husband Ben and [fellow Strictly star] Carlos Gu proved it and made sure it wasn’t like that…
‘Tonight I raise a glass to the past year, I worked hard and allowed my passion for dance to save me along with my incredible medical team, my family and my friends. Thank you, I love you all infinitely. The cancer you didn’t take and won’t take who I am!’
Last month, Amy shared another health update as she marked two weeks since undergoing a second mastectomy.
