Strictly Come Dancing favourite Amy Dowden was left “devastated” after she had to bow out of the competition due to a stress fracture.
However, the 34-year-old dance professional is now getting back on her feet and working closely with physiotherapists for a dazzling comeback to the ballroom. Amy is eagerly anticipating joining the Strictly arena tour and launching her own ‘Reborn’ tour alongside her fellow dancer, Carlos Gu.
Sadly, just eight weeks prior, Dowden had to step down from Strictly because of an “insufficiency stress fracture” in her shin, leaving her “heartbroken” at the lost opportunity to potentially reach the final with her celebrity partner, JB Gill from JLS.
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Returning to the limelight after sitting out the 2023 series due to her cancer diagnosis was a major milestone for Amy. She shared with The Guardian that the mere thought of returning to Strictly was what sustained her throughout her health ordeal: “I was devastated and I really struggled because Strictly was my aim since the words: ‘Amy, you’ve got cancer.’
“That was the goal, to get back to the dance floor – and that’s all that was in my mind for 20 months.” Though “heartbroken and absolutely gutted” to withdraw, Amy heartily commended Lauren Oakley for taking her place.
With Lauren stepping up to the plate, JB Gill went on to secure a runners-up position in the competition, right behind winners Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell. Strictly pro Amy Dowden has spoken candidly about her struggles during cancer treatment last year, which led to her withdrawing from the dance floor.
She revealed her doubts about dancing again but acknowledged that the Strictly physiotherapists “want to protect” the talent. Yet, she remains hopeful for a comeback in the 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing to help her feel “truly like Amy again”, declaring dance as her “happy place”.
Focusing on her recovery, Amy is determined to join the upcoming Strictly arena tour, and shared: “I’m feeling so much stronger. I’m at the gym, I’m working with my physio team, I’m having dance lessons.”
Despite feeling unlucky – often finding herself facing challenges – she is upbeat about her chances: “It was just very unlucky – could have happened to anyone. But typically, if something is going to go wrong, it happens to me.”
Praising her resilience, JB, 38, honoured Amy’s unwavering support, saying ahead of the Strictly final: “She’s been a huge support from day one, but even when she was not working with me anymore, she’s been massively in our corner wanting us to do well, sending messages and checking how things are going, asking how our week is.”