Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has spoken about her cancer journey and her return to the dance floor as she prepares to go on tour – and revealed the personal motto that helped her keep going through her treatment.
The performer has described how dancing made her who she is today – and given her the passion and drive to cope with treatment that was harder than she imagined.
“Dancing is my life. It’s everything,” the Caerphilly-born dancer said. “It’s been my saviour. It’s taught me so much. And I believe it’s made me who I am today.”
Dowden and co-star Carlos Gu open their tour, Reborn, in Birmingham in March.
Following Saturday’s final of Strictly Come Dancing, which saw comedian Chris McCausland, the first blind contestant, crowned this year’s winner, Dowden described the programme as an “incredible, magical show”.
Dowden had to pull out of this year’s series with a foot injury in November, and the setback came after she missed the previous series following her breast cancer diagnosis.
She said: “Dancing this year on Strictly Come Dancing meant everything. Since those words ‘sorry Amy, you’ve got cancer’, my goal was to get back on Strictly, back on the dance floor.
“Then to have it taken away from me with a foot injury was just devastating.”
After Dowden pulled out, Birmingham-based professional dancer Lauren Oakley took over dancing with Dowden’s partner JB Gill and the pair made it all the way to the final.
Dowden said it had been “brilliant” to cheer them on and now, after her cancer treatment, she wakes up every day “blessed to see that sun rise again”.
It was announced earlier this week that the 34-year-old would return to Strictly Come Dancing for its live tour, which opens at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 17 January
Gu, who supported Dowden through her treatment, has described his heartbreak after her diagnosis and his pride after seeing how she never gave up.
He said: “The determination, the strength in herself was overwhelming. It was just beautiful to see.”
He added the experience had made her grow into a “more incredible” version of herself, because of what she had been through, adding: “I’m really, really proud.”
As the pair prepare for the new tour, opening on 10 March in Birmingham at the Symphony Hall, Dowden said: “This is lovely opening here because this is my home.”
The performer, who runs Cradley Heath-based Art in Motion dance studio for pupils aged two and upwards, said her dance students, friends and family would be there.
She said she loved teaching dance, but also wanted to pass on the right attitude, urging her students to “always stay true to yourself and don’t give up”.
She is also working on “giving back to the charities that have saved my life”.
Gu said the show had been inspired by both their journeys, by Dowden’s cancer journey and his own move from China to the UK, where he has been navigating a new life.
“We both feel reborn basically,” Dowden said.
She said the show – which includes dance styles from Latin and ballroom to Flamenco and the Argentine Tango – took people on an emotional journey inspired by their own difficulties but also showed their joy and the uplifting moments they had seen.
She also spoke about how important it was to have a goal to work to.
“I say that to anybody who’s got a new diagnosis,” Dowden said.
“Whether it’s working towards a holiday, returning to work, a visit in some way or whatever it is – have that little goal to really push yourself.”
She added: “I used to tick everything off – every chemo, tick; every blood test appointment, tick; every oncologist [and] rescan – everything was a little tick along the way.”
Dowden underwent treatment for stage-three breast cancer in 2023.
Following chemotherapy treatment and a mastectomy, she announced in February that tests showed she had “no evidence of disease”.
She said the pair hoped audiences would find their new show uplifting and inspiring, adding: “I hope to show them my motto.”
“Don’t get bitter, get better.”