Strictly's Amy Dowden hints at 'exciting news' after doing 'everything to stay alive'
Amy Dowden has opened up on her cancer battle over the past few years, reflecting on her incredible journey since her diagnosis. The Strictly Come Dancing favourite battled breast cancer and shared news of her diagnosis publicly in May 2023. She recounted the chilling moment she discovered a lump in April, just before embarking on her honeymoon with her dancer husband Ben Jones.
This led to Amy facing a single mastectomy and chemotherapy. In February 2024, Amy confirmed that she had "no evidence of disease" based on recent medical tests. Then, the survivor rejoined Strictly for its milestone 20th-anniversary edition last year.
Embracing every moment, the talented dancer expressed how thankful she is while soaking up the sun on a joyful holiday with Ben and friends.
Sharing snaps of herself enjoying some rest and relaxation on a sunlounger, Amy expressed on Instagram: "What a day! Forever grateful!".
Her post continued: "Two years ago I was doing everything I could to be alive with chemo ahead! Now I'm living every day to the fullest! Forever grateful."
But it didn't end there – as Amy was later stunned by some "super exciting news".
Amy teased an update with her followers, writing: "l've just found out some super exciting news that I can't share yet but can't wait to," alongside a photo.
She continued: "Honestly can't believe it. FaceTimed mom and dad and their reactions were just so cute."
(Image: WPA Pool, Getty Images)
It comes as Amy celebrates a year since being awarded an MBE. In a post to Instagram, the Strictly Come Dancing star shared: "A year ago it was announced on the Kings birthday honours list I would be receiving an MBE for my fund raising and raising awareness for inflammatory bowel disease!
"Such an honour and one that still feels surreal! Congratulations to all those announced this weekend on this year honours list. I will forever do all I can to keep raising awareness and fundraising for both inflammatory bowel disease and breast cancer."
A recent post to Instagram from Amy also had her sharing her love of the sun, with many fans joking she should bring the nice weather back home with her.
Fans were thrilled to see the post and praised Amy. One fan joked: "Bring that sky back to Wales please." Another shared: "So gorg!!! Hope you're having the BEST time."
Another fan shared they had been holidaying in the same area just last week and that they had a brilliant time.
They wrote: "I was there last week. Fabulous place. Have a great time."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Strictly Come Dancing hunk 'signs up for Celebrity SAS' just weeks after shock split from fiancée
A Strictly Come Dancing hunk has reportedly signed up for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, just weeks after his shock split from his fiancée. Ben Cohen, 46, is reportedly gearing up to take on the gruelling Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins challenge. The former rugby player, who is well known for his appearance on Strictly more than a decade ago, is looking forward to 'throw himself into a new challenge' following his split from fiancée of 12 years Kristina Rihanoff. A TV insider told The Sun: 'Ben has had a difficult few months with his split from Kristina, having to sell their home and also having spiralling business debts. 'Celeb SAS is not only a good pay day for him, but it's a new challenge to throw himself into. 'Ben is obviously a sportsman and a very physical, competitive player so if anyone can handle the SAS recruitment process, it's him.' MailOnline have contacted Ben and Celebrity SAS representatives for comment. Ben and Kristina's relationship was the product of the BBC show's infamous curse when he left his then-wife Abby in 2013, before going onto date Kristina, before money troubles reportedly tore them apart. MailOnline was told that it was the severe financial difficulties they had recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split. The extent of the couple's struggles were laid bare in unusual circumstances - during a court appearance last September when Kristina was caught driving without insurance. Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben admitted he had bungled the handling of their car insurance policy and told how he was 'fighting to save his relationship and home'. A friend of the couple said: 'The past six months have been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have chosen to go forward as separate individuals. 'Those close to them who know them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out but for now it's over and it looks like there's no going back.' The couple were left with crippling debts after they ploughed every penny they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis during the Covid pandemic. According to The Sun, the couple are now left with a crippling £1million debt. In a tortuously frank admission Cohen told the court: 'I get up every day and I fight not to lose everything - to lose my cars and my house and my relationship. I'm so overdrawn.' When questioned about the strains on his and Rihanoff's relationship, he said: 'We're still living together. We're in it financially. 'We're in business together so the problem is that we opened the business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all honestly this is just another problem for me to deal with. 'I've got credit cards that are overdrawn. I'm overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a business debt because of Covid. It's just another problem.' MailOnline was given an insight into the struggles during an interview with the couple in May 2021. They started Soo Yoga Group together in June 2017 - four years after falling for each other when they partnered on the 11th series of the hit BBC show. Companies House records showed that the Soo Yoga Group Ltd was £488,470 in the red in its last submitted set of accounts for the year ending on July 31, 2022. The company was facing being struck off and Cohen has since resigned as a director leaving Rihanoff as its sole director - while other companies linked to the couple were also in difficulties. It was not long before the couple had put their £1.75million five-bedroom home in Sywell, Northamptonshire, where they had lived since 2016 on the market. Cohen resorted to selling topless photos of himself in a bid to raise some much needed cash. Ahead of the new year, he created a calendar with 1,000 personally signed editions selling at £32.95 a time in the hope of raking in £33,000. The couple revealed the irony of how they set off full of hope on a project to improve health and wellbeing only to be plunged into a crisis which left them facing losing everything and damaging their mental health. Russian-born Rihanoff - who left Strictly in 2015 before giving birth to their daughter Mila the following year - had worked hard to retrain as a yoga instructor. But the couple were forced to close their seven-studio yoga centre when the pandemic struck just nine months after opening. The studio offered dance, meditation and pilates classes while Cohen taught high intensity training. Rihanoff told MailOnline: 'The company is a new company we'd just set it up. We invested everything we've ever had. 'It was awful. I put everything into it and you don't even have a chance to develop the business. 'We opened in August after the first lockdown and had a huge spike. It's a family orientated centre. Then November lockdown, December it was awful because we didn't know the end of it. It was forever and ever and ever. Fingers crossed we can go back to normality soon.' She spoke of struggles with depression which has 'skyrocketed through the lockdowns' and admitted they struggled. At that point the couple were able to temporarily run outdoor classes on tennis courts in Northampton but told of their plans to expand the business into a nationwide venture - hoping to emule the success of David Lloyd's sports club empire. Cohen said: 'Yes it's great being outside and doing stuff but it shouldn't be at that point - we haven't earned a penny.' Cohen told how it was 'tough to run a business' but said of his hopes: 'Essentially we want to do what David Lloyd did. Everyone thought he was crazy. David has been helping us with this too. We want to grow this across the country.' The couple appeared to be back on track after getting engaged on a sun-kissed beach in the Maldives in 2022 and told of their hopes of tying the knot in Tuscany or Oxfordshire. Ben told Hello! Magazine in 2023: 'Over the last nine years we've been through the wringer. 'To support each other through difficult times in business is the ultimate test in a relationship. 'I've watched her flourish, from her becoming a mum to growing as a businesswoman, and it has strengthened our bond.' But their ongoing struggles were revealed when Rihanoff, who worked on Strictly between 2008 and 2013, appeared at Northampton Crown Court to unsuccessfully appeal a sentence for driving without insurance. Sobbing throughout the hearing, she told the court it would be financially devastating if she was disqualified. She said she needed to drive to judge ballroom competitions across the country, which earn her around £2,000 a month, and to take Mila to school. MailOnline later revealed the couple's yoga company had plunged almost £500,000 in debt.
NBC News
6 hours ago
- NBC News
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding guest list: Everyone who attended in Venice
The wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sánchez was a star-studded affair in Venice, Italy. Approximately 200 guests attended the wedding, which was celebrated over the course of three days across multiple venues, starting with a rehearsal dinner on June 26. The details of the ceremony were kept secret before the big day, but Sánchez confirmed they were officially married Saturday, June 27, by posting a photo to Instagram, featuring her white Dolce & Gabbana wedding gown. On Saturday, June 28, the newlyweds hosted a pajama-themed party, and guests were photographed decked out in a variety outfits, from Usher's navy robe to Leonardo DiCaprio's burgundy set. Bezos and Sánchez got engaged in 2023. When speaking to Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb on "TODAY" in November 2024, the bride-to-be spoke on the excitement leading up to the big day. 'Thinking about the dress, I have to say. I do have a Pinterest, I'm just like every other bride,' Sánchez said as she laughed alongside Savannah and Hoda. Here's a list of gusts spotted for the Italian wedding. Kim and Khloé Kardashian The Kardashian sisters were first spotted on Thursday, June 26. Kim Kardashian wore an all-black outfit, while Khloé Kardashian wore a cheetah print one-piece paired with an open-toe heel. The two previously attended a Beyoncé Renaissance Tour concert in Los Angeles with Bezos and Sánchez. Kim Kardashian took to Instagram to post some pre-wedding activities, including some sightseeing of the city. Orlando Bloom The actor was spotted in Venice in all-white casual wear, topped off with a black cap for the sunny weather. The actor was later seen holding up a peace sign as he entered a taxi boat with a guest in another all-white attire — this time, in a collared shirt. Tom Brady Legendary quarterback Tom Brady was seen boarding a taxi boat in a black sweatsuit paired with a white hat. Kris Jenner Kris Jenner put on a smile at Venice Marco Polo airport while wearing a black top and sunglasses, finished with an emerald green necklace. In May, Jenner attended Sánchez's bachelorette party held in Paris, France. She's seen in the photo of Sánchez Instagram post with the Eiffel Tower in the background. The mother of six was also seen later with her longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble in a matching all-black look, including black sunglasses. Oprah Winfrey Winfrey was photographed in Venice wearing a white top, brown sunglasses and a black headband, waiting for her taxi boat. Winfrey was spotted later in the day wearing a white and purple cut out dress as she put on a smile. , who went to space with Sánchez on the all-female Blue Origin flight she organized. Jessica Alba The actor shared on Instagram photos of her outfit, including a cameo from her daughter Honor, 17. The actor wore a green dress by Zuhair Murad paired with Chanel heels. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were photographed amid the festivities. The couple had previously been spotted in Venice along with their three children, enjoying family time and fun activities in the city. The POTUS' daughter took to Instagram to share a glimpse of her family's trip. Diane von Furstenberg The fashion designer posted a snap of her relaxing in Venice before the big three-day event. On Instagram, she called the city 'the ultimate Woman !!!' Charissa Thompson The Fox News sports commentator has spent some time around Europe but was in Venice for the big celebration. Thompson, who was pictured in Sánchez's bridal party, shared her sightseeing adventures on Instagram, including a photo of San Giorgio Maggiore island. Veronica Grazer The entrepreneur and her husband Brian Grazer arrived in Venice on June 26. The bridesmaid wore a green and yellow print button-up top as her husband sported a Supreme camouflage backpack. Gayle King The CBS journalist was seen in green cargo pants as she boarded a taxi boat with Winfrey. King accompanied Sánchez on the Blue Origin flight, which she called an 'adventure of a lifetime' on Instagram. Queen Rania of Jordan The royal had a helping hand as she stepped in a taxi boat in Venice. She was seen wearing a chic all-black outfit, paired with a black purse with gold detailing. Kendall and Kylie Jenner The two Jenner sisters were spotted wearing colorful dresses in Venice, as the rest of their family were spotted earlier in the day. Leonardo DiCaprio The Oscar-winning actor was visible beneath the black baseball cap he wore to obscure his face. Vittoria Ceretti The Italian model was seen wearing an elegant gray maxi dress as she received help to board her taxi boat. Ceretti discussed her relationship with DiCaprio to Vogue France in the past, where she revealed that they met in Milan. Domenico Dolce Italian designer Domenico Dolce of Dolce & Gabbana was seen mingling with guests in an all-black look. Jewel Singer Jewel shared her outfit, along with a mirror selfie, to Instagram. 'What a wonderful three days celebrating love in the most poetic city ... wearing my favorite @dolcegabanna. Congratulations @jeffbezos and @laurensanchezbezos,' Jewel wrote on Instagram. Stefano Gabbana Gabbano, the Italian designer and co-founder of Dolce & Gabbana, was seen in an all-black look with a white belt, stepping foot into a taxi boat. Sydney Sweeney The 'Euphoria' actor wore all black, topped with matching black sunglasses and purse, in her first photos from Venice. Tommy Hilfiger The fashion designer was seen sporting a Yankees hat on a stroll in Venice. Usher The singer and his wife Jennifer Goicoechea was spotted taking a candid photo on a taxi boat ahead of the wedding. Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner The model and her husband were photographed in formal wear Friday, June 27, as they arrived to the Bezos-Sánchez wedding in Venice. On Saturday, June 28, Kloss and Sweeney were photographed walking the streets of Venice together. Sara Foster The actor and model shared moments of her and her friends throughout the wedding. 'Breaking news: Two people in love got married and their friends showed up,' Foster captioned the post with bride and groom emojis. Ellie Goulding British singer Ellie Goulding was spotted in a taxi boat with model sisters Sarah Jane and Brooks Nader during the three-day festivity.
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
EastEnders legend's ‘real age' as she celebrates birthday after being axed from soap
She looked slimmer than ever after her five-stone weight loss GOOD TIMES EastEnders legend's 'real age' as she celebrates birthday after being axed from soap Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE real age of an EastEnders legend has been revealed as she celebrated her birthday after being axed from soap. The actress first made her debut on the BBC One serial drama in 2017 to much acclaim from viewers. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Lorraine Stanley celebrated her 49th birthday with her partner Credit: Instagram/lorraine_stanley_ 6 She celebrated the huge milestone as she posed with Mark Perez Credit: Instagram/lorraine_stanley_ 6 The actress was best-known for her role as Karen Taylor on EastEnders Credit: BBC Lorraine Stanley played the role of Karen Taylor until last year when bosses decided to axe her character in 2023. Her character initially fled to Spain before returning for a number of short stints in 2024 after the death of her on-screen son Keanu (Danny Walters). A year after her last appearance on EastEnders, the star looks happier than ever as she celebrated her 49th birthday with her family. She took to Instagram with a number of snaps as she posed with her partner, Mark Perez, and her daughter Nancy, 10, on the doorstep of her home. The former actress flaunted her five-stone weight loss as she donned a sleeveless pastel blue dress with flared arm panels. She put on a leggy display in the thigh-length summer ensemble which was emblazoned with floral detail as she wore chic white platform sandals. Lorraine captioned the post: "Well hello 49!!! So many exciting things happening this year!! "I feel so lucky. Thank you for all the love." In an apparent dig to her days on the soap, she wrote: "I'm the happiest I've been in years!!!" However, her former co-stars and her fans flooded the comments section with well wishes. EastEnders' Lorraine Stanley looks slimmer than ever after dramatic five stone weight loss Kellie Bright - who still stars as Linda Carter on the soap - wrote: "Happy Birthday gorgeous woman." Former I'm A Celebrity campmate Danielle Harold simply left a love heart face emoji. While a fan gushed: "Happy birthday princess." As someone else asked: "What's your secret???? You look INCREDIBLE! Happy birthday gorgeous woman xxx" While a fifth person gushed: "Happy Birthday to one of the best." 6 She beamed from ear to ear as she posed with her daughter Nancy Credit: Instagram/lorraine_stanley_ 6 Karen Taylor was axed by BBC soap bosses in 2014 Credit: BBC
