amy strictly

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Strictly's Amy Dowden explains why she's feeling 'pressure' on BBC show
Strictly's Amy Dowden explains why she's feeling 'pressure' on BBC show

Introduction

Dowden’s Strictly Journey Highlights Health Triumph Over Competition Amy-Strictly professional dancer Amy Dowden has concluded her partnership in the current series of Strictly Come Dancing, marking a premature end to her full-time return to the BBC show following a significant and public battle with Stage 3 breast cancer. The Welsh dancer and her celebrity partner, businessman Thomas Skinner, became the first couple eliminated in the 2025 competition, reigniting public conversation about Dowden's remarkable resilience and her profound impact on health awareness outside of the ballroom. Dowden, who received the 'no evidence of disease' (NED) status in February 2024 after nine months of intensive treatment, had made her latest comeback to the main series after two years of interruptions due to health complications. Her involvement in the 2025 series was seen as a personal victory and a milestone in her recovery, lending immense emotional weight to her first competitive run since her diagnosis in May 2023. The elimination came following the second live show, where Dowden and Skinner found themselves in the dance-off against former England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova. The judges—head judge Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood—unanimously voted to save the latter couple, citing Robshaw’s superior technical performance in the dance-off. Despite the swift exit, the mood surrounding the departure was one of gratitude and perspective. Upon hearing the result, Dowden, 35, addressed the sheer importance of her return beyond the pursuit of the coveted Glitterball trophy. Speaking immediately after the judges’ decision, she offered an emotional reflection on her experience. “Our Strictly journey has sadly come to an end,” she said, according to statements released by the BBC.

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“Tom, you have truly helped bring me back, not just to the show, but to myself. What I’ve learnt more than ever this past two years what matters, happiness, health and to be grateful to be alive doing what I love. ” The Path Back to the Ballroom Dowden’s participation in the 2025 series followed a turbulent period of chronic illness and acute cancer care. She was forced to step away from the 2023 series completely after discovering a lump in her breast the day before her planned honeymoon with her husband, fellow dancer Ben Jones. Her subsequent year involved a full mastectomy, eight rounds of chemotherapy, and fertility treatments. This period was marked by further physical setbacks, including a blood clot in her lung and sepsis, which highlighted the extreme physical toll of her treatment. Her initial return in 2024, partnered with JLS singer JB Gill, was tragically cut short midway through the competition when she suffered an insufficiency stress fracture to her shin. At the time, she openly questioned whether her body had been ready for the intensity of the show, admitting the injury felt like her cancer was “still punishing” her, a sentiment that resonated with many long-term cancer survivors. The dancer acknowledged later that she had placed undue pressure on herself to return immediately, telling the press she was "deluded" in thinking her life would instantly return to normal. “I think last year, I wasn't confident in myself really deep down.

I think I was still trying to accept everything,” Dowden revealed in an interview earlier this year, referencing the changes to her appearance, including her hair growing back. “If I am back this year, I would just embrace and enjoy every second. ” Her presence in the 2025 launch show, where she performed in the professional group dances, was a symbolic marker of her renewed strength and acceptance of her body's recovery timeline. Public Awareness and Ongoing Commitment Beyond her competitive role, Dowden has leveraged her high-profile platform to raise significant awareness for breast cancer and Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory condition she has lived with for many years. Her documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, was critically acclaimed for its unflinching honesty in detailing the reality of the illness. Dowden continues to share her ongoing treatment journey with her large social media following, including monthly visits to the oncology unit for monitoring and treatment injections. During a recent hospital visit, Dowden documented a conversation with staff who told her how unusually busy the unit had been. “My heart just absolutely sunk because that means that more people are needing treatment or more people are being diagnosed,” she stated in a video update. “But it made me realise how important it is to raise awareness, to share my story and to remember—if you're not checking yourself, then who is? Early diagnosis can save your life. ” This commitment to advocacy has arguably cemented her position as one of the BBC show's most influential professionals.

Commentators and fans have frequently noted that the significance of her presence on the dance floor transcends the judging panel’s scores. Looking Ahead With the immediate intensity of the competition now over for the professional, attention shifts to her future plans. Dowden remains part of the Strictly Come Dancing professional line-up and is anticipated to be heavily involved in group routines and the annual Christmas Special. Furthermore, she is confirmed to be joining the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour, where she is expected to dance alongside her former 2024 partner JB Gill. In recent months, she has also spoken openly about her desire to start a family, a goal for which she underwent fertility treatment prior to starting chemotherapy. While acknowledging that it remains "too soon" after her extensive treatment regime, Dowden’s focus remains firmly set on maintaining her health and utilising her platform to encourage early diagnosis globally. Her resilience, observers note, will continue to serve as a powerful and enduring narrative long after the Glitterball has been won. Amy Dowden's deep connection to her profession is evident in this retrospective from 2019, where she discusses what dancing truly means to her: "It's A Feeling You Can't Explain": Why I Dance By Amy Dowden | BBC Three Does Strictly.

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