Professional dancer Amy Dowden has shared her emotional journey of recovery following a challenging battle with cancer, revealing a desire to reclaim her identity as a performer. Dowden, known for her role on Strictly Come Dancing, felt as though she had lost everything after undergoing treatment for breast cancer, reports BritPanorama.
Diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in May 2023 at the age of 32, Dowden faced a series of difficult medical challenges. She underwent a mastectomy and was later diagnosed with a second type of cancer that required chemotherapy. This health crisis forced her to miss a season of Strictly and resulted in serious complications, including sepsis, a broken foot, and a blood clot.
Despite her initial fears of losing her place in the competitive dancing world, Dowden returned to Strictly in 2024, determined not to watch from the sidelines. Partnered with JB Gill, she experienced a triumphant but short-lived return, collapsing backstage due to a stress fracture. Reflecting on her rush to return, she admitted, “I went back too soon. It takes a long time to recover from the chemo.”
Dowden’s resilience was bolstered by the support of her friend and fellow dancer, Carlos Gu, who motivated her to regain her strength and pursue their shared passion for dance. As she continues to face the implications of her second mastectomy in November 2025, Gu’s encouragement has been pivotal in her recovery.
Gu himself has been navigating personal struggles, having fled his home country to live openly in the UK as a gay man. Dowden expressed admiration for his journey and noted their upcoming live tour, Reborn, as a celebration of their resilience and shared stories. “It’s been a joy to see him explore new ideas, to really be true to himself,” she remarked.
Born in Caerphilly, Wales, in 1990, Dowden’s path to stardom started from humble beginnings. Growing up in a non-performing family, her passion for dance was ignited when she won a competition at age eight, leading her parents to enroll her in dance classes.
Despite facing her own health challenges, including battling Crohn’s disease since childhood, Dowden developed an attitude of perseverance, shaping her approach to both dance and life. “Don’t get bitter, get better!” became her mantra during tough times, which included supporting fellow Strictly contestant JJ Chalmers, a veteran injured in Afghanistan.
Throughout her career, she has spoken out against workplace discrimination faced by individuals with chronic health conditions, voicing frustration over misconceptions regarding reliability associated with health struggles. Dowden has also addressed allegations of mistreatment by a colleague in the past, asserting her confidence amidst challenges.
Having married Ben Jones in 2022, Dowden also took steps to preserve her future family plans by freezing embryos before her cancer treatments. In a lighthearted twist, she refers to Gu as part of their family, highlighting their close bond and mutual support.
Now, enjoying her renewed health and the thrill of performing, Dowden looks forward to the upcoming tour. She expresses enthusiasm for the engaging performances lined up, emphasizing the joy they bring to audiences. “Despite it all, I’m actually very lucky,” she concluded, reflecting on her journey.
The ‘Amy and Carlos Reborn’ tour starts in Basingstoke on 30 May.
