Strictly's Amy Dowden shares defiant message as she begins cancer treatment
The 32-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer
After announcing she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer last month, Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has now given fans an update on social media, revealing she's started her treatment.
Sharing a photo of herself with a smile and thumbs up from her hospital bed, the 32-year-old showed her optimism and determination as she wrote: 'Step one to beating cancer! Rrrrrrready for this fight and more determined than ever to get back on the dance floor 💪💪🙏🙏 #breastcanceryoung #checkyourchest #checkyourlemons #letsdothis #breastcancerawareness🎀 #cancer'. (sic)
Fans and friends of the dancer were quick to send their love and well wishes. Amy's former Strictly partner, McFly singer Tom Fletcher, wrote: 'Sending you all the love today. Us Fletchers are right behind you. X'. (sic)
Gorka Márquez commented: '❤️❤️🙏🏻 you got this @amy_dowden', with Giovanni Pernice adding: '❤️❤️❤️'. Karen Hauer then wrote: 'Love you ♥️ you got this 🦾', with Dianne Buswell writing: '❤️❤️ sending all that energy your way my love xxx'. (sic)
Janette Manrara, who is expecting her first child with husband Aljaž Škorjanec, added: 'We love you! You’ve absolutely 💯 got this 💪🏼🤍'. (sic)
Amy announced in a defiant message back in May that she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer, saying: 'Hey all, I've got some news which isn't easy to share. I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I'm determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it. 💖'.
The 32-year-old, who also has Crohn's Disease, also opened up to HELLO! about her diagnosis.
She told the publication: "I've been through quite a lot in my life and this is another hurdle. But if I'm positive and strong, I've got a really good chance of getting back out on the dancefloor as soon as possible.
"With what I've done for Crohn’s, I want to do the same here. If I can try and turn this negative into a positive, it's going to help me get through this.
"You just don't ever think it's going to happen to you. I hadn't thought it was possible to get breast cancer at my age. My mum has had breast cancer, but she had it at a later age, in her 50s."
Amy, who has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing since 2017, announced earlier this year that she'd signed up for another series of the hit entertainment show, writing on Instagram at the time: 'Dancing into my 7th season (how is this possible)!!! Can’t believe I’m still living the dream! Each year I fall in love even more with the show and those who know me know my LOVE FOR STRICTLY! Forever grateful to @bbcstrictly and my strictly family! Love you all! 💖💖💖Here we gooooo! 🕺💃🏼🪩🫶! #forevergrateful #year7 #professionaldancer #strictly #lucky #livingthedream #grateful thankful #strictlyfamily #strictlycomedancing'. (sic)
Check out all of the professional dancers confirmed for the 2023 series of Strictly:
Gorka Marquez
Gorka joined the show in 2016 and has danced in three finals, most recently with presenter Helen Skelton in 2022.
Vito Coppola
Vito joined the show in 2022 and made it all the way to the final with Hits Radio presenter Fleur East.
Dianne Buswell
Dianne was a professional on the Australian version of Strictly Come Dancing before she joined the UK cast in 2017. In 2022, she made it all the way to Blackpool with Kiss FM presenter Tyler West.
Giovanni Pernice
Italian Champion Giovanni Pernice is the longest-serving male professional on the current line-up of Strictly pros, having joined the show in 2015. He lifted the Glitterball with actress Rose Ayling-Ellis back in 2021 and was most recently paired with presenter Richie Anderson.
Karen Hauer
Karen is the longest serving dancer in the current line-up, having joined in 2012. Last year she was paired with comedian Jayde Adams.
Katya Jones
Katya lifted the glitterball with actor Joe McFadden in 2017 and has been a Strictly professional since 2016. She danced with footballing legend Tony Adams in 2022.
Johannes Radebe
Johannes has been a Strictly pro since 2018. He danced with comedian Ellie Taylor last year.
Kai Widdrington
Kai became a professional dancer in 2021, when he reached the final with presenter AJ Odudu but had to pull out due to an injury. Last year, Kai was paired with Loose Women star Kaye Adams.
Jowita Przystal
Jowita joined the show in 2021 and was given her first professional partner, Hamza Yassin, in the 2022 series. The pair went on to win the show, making Jowita the reigning champion.
Carlos Gu
Carlos joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 and was partnered with CBBC star Molly Rainford. The pair reached the final of the show.
Graziano Di Prima
Graziano has been a Strictly pro since 2018. Last year, he reached the quarter finals with Kym Marsh.
Nadiya Bychkova
Nadiya joined the show in 2017. In 2022, she danced with Matt Goss.
Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita joined the show in 2021. He was paired with Paralympian Ellie Simmons in 2022.
Nancy Xu
Nancy was paired with actor Will Mellor in 2022. She has been a professional on the show since 2019.
Neil Jones
Neil has been a Strictly professional since 2016. His celebrity partners include professional footballer Alex Scott and actress and comedian Nina Wadia.
Lauren Oakley
Lauren joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022.
Luba Mushtuk
Luba became a professional dancer on the programme in 2018. She has danced with two celebrity partners in the main series: James Cracknell in 2019 and Jason Bell in 2020.
Michelle Tsiakkas
Michelle joined Strictly in 2022.
Although it's not yet known if Amy will take part in the 2023 series following her diagnosis, bosses have confirmed they won't be replacing her on the show.
We are sending Amy all of our love. ❤️
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