Amy Dowden has praised her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars for helping her with her show Dare To Dance after her cancer diagnosis.

The professional dancer, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 at the start of filming for the second series.

The show sees her teach people to dance and learn routines so they can surprise their loved ones.

After her diagnosis Amy underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, meaning she was unable to dance on the show.

However, she revealed that her Strictly co-stars stepped in to help her finish the series, gushing that they were a ‘family’.

Amy Dowden has praised her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars for helping her with her show Dare To Dance after her cancer diagnosis

The professional dancer, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 at the start of filming for the second series (pictured on show with Stephen Hart)

After her diagnosis Amy underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, meaning she was unable to dance, but her Strictly co-stars stepped in to help her finish the series

Appearing on The One Show on Monday, Amy explained: ‘They came to the rescue because I obviously I did get diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of the series. 

‘And I gave them the call and it added to it and it was a lovely surprise for each of the contributors as well. 

‘Dianne [Buswell] came along, Graziano [Di Prima], Carlos [Gu], Oti [Mabuse] – it was brilliant. It’s such a family, the Strictly family, it really is. We go to each other for everything.’

She previously spoke about how important it was to her to be able to carry on with her TV work during her cancer battle, explaining that it gave her ‘something to get up for’ every day.

Speaking to BBC News last week, Amy said: ‘We continued to film right until my mastectomy [last June]. 

‘And then two weeks after my mastectomy, I was back – I couldn’t dance myself, but I could still instruct – and we got the series done before I started chemo.

‘So I was very much involved, far more than I thought, and it really, really helped. think had I had all that taken away from me, I would have really struggled.’

She added that she ‘learned so much’ from the contributors on the show too, saying: ‘We become really close, like a family.

Appearing on The One Show on Monday, Amy explained: ‘They came to the rescue because I obviously I did get diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of the series’

She previously spoke about how important it was to her to be able to carry on with her TV work during her cancer battle, explaining that it gave her ‘something to get up for’ every day (pictured on Strictly in January 2023)

‘When you’re doing something as intensive this, it’s important for the team to create that special bond.

‘And honestly, it’s what helped me get through such a difficult period in my life. Because I had a focus, and I had something to get up for every day.’

It comes after Amy happily revealed on Friday she no longer has any ‘evidence of disease’.

Sharing a jubilant picture on Instagram, Amy announced the joyful news: ‘NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of! My biggest accomplishment yet! 

‘I won’t be getting the all clear for 5 years especially with a hormone fed cancer. But it was all worth it. Words I never thought I’d hear at one point.

‘So grateful for all the care I received and continue to have. To my husband, family and friends who supported me unconditionally and to you guys! Thank you!’

She continued: ‘I will still need a monthly injection for 5 years and regular check ups. Chemo and this past year has certainly took its toll on my body both physically and mentally, so I’ll be taking the next few months to heal and recover.

‘I have so much to strive and live for, and so grateful for another chance at life! Something I know not all get. I certainly see life differently and my life has changed forever!

It comes after Amy happily revealed on Friday she no longer has any ‘evidence of disease’ with a jubilant picture on Instagram

While she will not get the all-clear for five years and will still need treatment, she thanked her family and friends for their support amid her ‘toughest year’

‘Cancer affects too many so I will continue to do all I can to raise awareness and make sure I get as many as I can to.

‘It’s time to look ahead after what’s been the toughest year, and one I certainly didn’t expect! Dance floor I’m coming for you! Welsh love, always Amy x.’

Amy then discussed her next career moves and opened up about how her cancer battle impacted her marriage with Ben Jones.

During a candid chat with The Mirror, she said: ‘Since my diagnosis in May, he hasn’t taken a break.

‘He’s self-employed and works at our dance school. He’s been looking after me or working so he didn’t get a weekend off or a holiday or anything.’

The dancer explained Ben didn’t take a break between May and Christmas last year, adding he had ‘so much worry and anxiety’.

Amy frankly admitted everything was so ‘wrapped up’ around her hospital appointments, that the couple haven’t had ‘the time that we needed to as a husband and wife would’.

Amy then discussed her next career moves and opened up about how her cancer battle impacted her marriage with Ben Jones (pictured together)

But the pair seems to be catching up quickly – as they soaked the sun during a Caribbean honeymoon as a gift of ITV’s Lorraine.

The pro dancer said the romantic getaway was ‘lovely’ and made both realise how much a break time was needed and admitted they are ‘stronger than ever right now’. 

Amy has also mentioned about her future career plans, hinting to a possible new opportunity: ‘I would love for BBC One to pick up Dare To Dance and go to the whole of the UK to share my joy of dance.’

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Each year in the UK there are more than 55,000 new cases, and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, it strikes 266,000 each year and kills 40,000. But what causes it and how can it be treated?

What is breast cancer?

It comes from a cancerous cell which develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts.

When the breast cancer has spread into surrounding tissue it is called ‘invasive’. Some people are diagnosed with ‘carcinoma in situ’, where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobule.

Most cases develop in those over the age of 50 but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, though this is rare.

Staging indicates how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body.

The cancerous cells are graded from low, which means a slow growth, to high, which is fast-growing. High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after they have first been treated.

What causes breast cancer?

A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply ‘out of control’.

Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance, such as genetics.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most are not cancerous and are fluid filled cysts, which are benign. 

The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this occurs you will develop a swelling or lump in an armpit.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

• Initial assessment: A doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may do tests such as a mammography, a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can indicate the possibility of tumours.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer.

If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver or a chest X-ray.

How is breast cancer treated?

Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments are used.

• Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or the removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumour.
• Radiotherapy: A treatment which uses high energy beams of radiation focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells, or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery.
• Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying.
• Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the ‘female’ hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments which reduce the level of these hormones, or prevent them from working, are commonly used in people with breast cancer.

How successful is treatment?

The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure.

The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 70 means more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage.

For more information visit breastcancernow.org or call its free helpline on 0808 800 6000