Amy Dowden’s Triumphant Return: A Story of Resilience and Recovery in 2025

A Journey of Recovery and Strength

Welsh dancer Amy Dowden’s life changed dramatically when she discovered a lump in her breast in April 2023, just before her honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones in the Maldives. After being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, she underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, ultimately receiving the wonderful news in February 2024 that there was “no evidence of disease”.

The Road to Recovery

The journey wasn’t easy, as Dowden admits she initially thought she’d return to Strictly Come Dancing quickly and her life would return to normal. However, the reality proved more challenging, especially as she faced the additional challenge of being put into menopause during treatment.

While she made an initial return to Strictly in 2024, an injury forced her to withdraw midway through the 20th-anniversary season. However, the BBC has now confirmed her participation in the 2025 season.

A Stronger Version of Herself

Today, Dowden describes herself as “a newer, stronger version” of herself, having learned to be kinder to herself in her recovery. She continues to receive monthly injections that “keep the hormones at bay” as part of her ongoing care.

Her resilience has paid off, as she reports her body is now “feeling stronger and fitter than ever” after completing two back-to-back dancing tours. Looking ahead to 2025, which she always said “sounded like a good year,” Dowden has learned valuable lessons about recovery taking the time it needs, both physically and mentally.

Advocacy and Impact

Her journey has been documented in BBC documentaries, including “Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me,” and she was honored with an MBE earlier this year for her services to fundraising and raising awareness of inflammatory bowel disease. Dowden now actively supports cancer charities, acknowledging how volunteers are “the backbone, the heartbeat to all these charities that help fund research” and support both patients and their families.