Strictly Pays Tribute To Amy Dowden Amid Cancer Battle

There was one very invested viewer as Strictly Come Dancing returned to BBC for the first time this year - pro dancer Amy Dowden.

The 33-year-old beauty won't be competing this year as she battles breast cancer, but her co-stars made sure she was very much included on the opening night.

Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman paid a sweet tribute to her as they wished the 'Welsh dragon' well ahead of one of the first group dances of 2023.

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly during the Strictly Come Dancing launch episode. Pic: BBC

Amy has been remarkably open about her treatment as she has started to lose her hair as she undergoes chemotherapy. Speaking to Hello!, she said: 'I'm not going to lie… It's really, really hard and I think I cry… less now. To begin with, [it was] like every day. But now, I have meltdowns when I wash my hair once a week.'

She said that she's being extremely gentle with her hair as it has been falling out the more she is at it. She said: 'For the last two weeks now, I haven't brushed my hair and that has definitely helped. Since I came out of hospital with the blood clots, I stopped brushing it myself because I was just getting distraught seeing how much was falling out.'

While she was devastated to receive her diagnosis back in May, the Strictly pro has described her breast cancer as just 'another hurdle', and said she is determined to get back on the floor as soon as possible.

Amy's mum also had breast cancer in the past, but when she was older than Amy, when she was in her 50s.

Pic: Amy Dowden/Instagram

She talked about how people often think it will never happen to them so she has decided to get together with the CoppaFeel! campaign encouraging women (and men) to keep an eye on their breasts and to be wary of any changes to them.

She said: 'Me speaking out might end up saving some other people's lives because they start checking their breasts. I was in the shower and I felt this hard lump in my right breast. I was in shock; I checked again. I thought: "Right, it could just be period-related", or so many things. I decided I was going to keep an eye on it for a few weeks.'

Amy became increasingly concerned as she felt the lump daily as she put on body lotion on holidays, but while getting ready for a performance with her husband Ben, she realised it was getting bigger and she really needed to go to the doctor.

Amy Dowden, 'Strictly Come Dancing - The Live Tour' launch, Birmingham. Pic: REX

The Strictly pros are all right behind Amy as she battles cancer. Many of them have taken to social media in the run-up to the season premiere to wish her well and to remind her they can't wait to have her back on set.

Dianne Buswell posted a picture of the girls together saying: 'Sending our Welsh dragon every single bit of love, energy, determination, healing vibes and more. I know today is a big day for you but knowing you you will be (rrrrrrrreeaady) in your Welsh accent to see the light at the end of all of this, ring that bell and be back dancing with your Strictly fam.'

Graziano Di Prima and Karen Hauer both sent her lots of love as Amy posted a photo taken during her treatment.

Amy managed to join her co-stars on the red carpet at the NTAs recently, when Strictly won an award.

Amy with the Strictly pros at the NTAs Pic: Dianne Buswell/Instagram

Meanwhile, judge Anton du Beke told This Morning: 'She's an incredible girl, and we're all wishing her as much love as we can and as much support as we can. We're all on a group chat and we're with her through the whole journey. We can't wait to see her back on the show, fighting fit.'