Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden revealed she found herself in the respiratory unit last week during her ongoing battle with breast cancer.
The 33-year-old Welsh dancer, a fixture on the show since 2017, had to withdraw from competing on the BBC program after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023. Since then, she has undergone a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and fertility treatment.
On Monday, Amy Dowden provided fans with an Instagram update regarding her condition following an unforeseen visit to the hospital’s respiratory unit.
She captioned the photos of herself in hospital:
“So last week didn’t exactly go to plan. Feeling much better now and still taking it easy.
“But can’t thank the NHS and the care I received on the respiratory unit enough. Also to my family and Ben of course. Always dropping everything and spending endless hours next to my bed while I mainly slept.
“Feeling much better and thanks for the many messages after going quiet. Off to the oncology unit today for my monthly injection, (missed it last week due to being poorly).”
The social media update comes within two weeks of Dowden surprising her Strictly co-stars during the Nottingham stop of their live tour.
Following the conclusion of the 2023 season of the dancing show, which saw Coronation Street star Ellie Leach and her partner Vito Copolla clinch the glitterball trophy, several cast members, including Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Angela Rippon, Annabel Croft, and Bobby Brazier, confirmed their participation in the Strictly Come Dancing live tour.
Through various Instagram posts, the cast delightedly shared images of Dowden surprising them in their dressing room.
Dowden, who completed her final round of chemotherapy in November, expressed her aspirations of making a comeback to Strictly later this year with the aim of seizing the coveted Glitterball Trophy. Prior to the new year, she lamented feeling “robbed” of 2023 due to her cancer diagnosis and eagerly anticipated a year of being “fit and healthy” in 2024.
Despite her inability to compete, the Strictly producers consistently found ways to involve Dowden in the show. Fans were thrilled when she made surprise appearances, such as reading out the terms and conditions.
In last year’s December final, Dowden surprised viewers by performing in the opening number, preceding the crowning of Coronation Street star Ellie Leach and her partner Vito Coppola as the champions of Strictly 2023.