Strictly's Amy Dowden put 'so much pressure on herself' to return post-treatment

Daily Mirror

5 days ago

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden had to withdraw from the show last year after suffering a foot injury, but says she's ready to return to the dance floor as a stronger version of herself.
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden said she hit an "all time low" after finishing cancer treatment – but is now a "newer, stronger" version of herself and is ready to return to the show. The 34 year old professional dancer made her comeback to the BBC programme last year following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2023.
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However, halfway through the series, Amy, who was paired with JLS singer JB Gill, was forced to pull out after sustaining a foot injury. This prompted the Welsh performer to reflect on her progress, and how she should have been kinder to herself in her recovery.
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"I feel like Amy's back, but actually a newer, stronger version of me," she said. "I'm really grateful to be in this position. It's been a long road of recovery."
Amy, who endured a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and was placed into a treatment-induced menopause by medics as part of her care said she was 'a bit naïve' after ringing the bell - a tradition amongst cancer patients once they complete treatment. "I honestly thought that that's it, I had my life back."
What she didn't anticipate was the long road to recovery which would follow, to get back to where she was before, both physically and mentally.
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Speaking at the launch of the Keep Ahead awareness campaign, she opened up about how it took a toll emotionally. The campaign, spearheaded and funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK, is designed to shed light on life after breast cancer.
For many who haven't been through it, ringing the bell might seem like a moment of pure joy, but Amy reveals that this isn't always the case.
In the weeks following her bell-ringing, Amy confessed she hit an "all time low". "I was very emotional; I was scared, petrified and thought 'what if I haven't done enough."
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She admitted she experienced feelings of 'guilt' over these emotions: "I felt why am I feeling like this when I should be happy and celebrating when deep inside I felt angry and bitter."
She highlighted the extensive road to recovery; regaining stamina, rebuilding confidence – particularly in her line of work. Moreover, she had to come to terms with what she had been through.
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"After I rang the bell, I thought I was done, but I was deluded... The road to recovery was pretty grim to be honest with you and my stamina levels were the lowest they've ever been in my life. Having to start that journey to the dance floor felt like a million miles away."
She continued: "After the last chemo, I don't want to say I felt worse, but you know, yeah it did, because you feel like you're doing something during it [cancer treatment]. Then all of a sudden, you face the reality of trying to rebuild a new version of you."
However, the dancer has since battled her way back to health and is now determined to live life to the fullest. She has just wrapped up filming for the new series of Celebrity Hunted, and completed her UK dance tour earlier this year with fellow Strictly star Carlos Gu.
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She's also been making sure to spend quality time with loved ones and prioritise rest. "I've learned to take time to rest, recover and spend time with my loved ones."
On Celebrity Hunted, Amy had to go "off-grid" and refrain from using electronic devices including her phone – a digital detox she plans to incorporate more into her life to be more present with her husband Ben.
Amy said: "I was always on my phone and I've learned that you don't need to be contactable 24/7, and to put the phone away and appreciate what's in front of you. I'm not going to just scroll through social media and watch what everyone else is doing."
This relaxation and recovery has led to a happier Amy and now she believes she can return to Strictly even stronger.
She said: "Last year, I put so much pressure on myself. I've taken that pressure away from me now and I can't wait to just enjoy it."