Amy Dowden, of Strictly Come Dancing fame, has announced that she is scheduled to undergo “another mastectomy this week.”
The 35-year-old stated that the upcoming surgery “is not to treat a new cancer diagnosis.” She explained that the procedure was recommended following a consultation with her “incredible” medical team. Dowden emphasized her commitment to being “clear” and “open” with her followers regarding her health journey.
In an Instagram post accompanied by a video of her with her dog, the Welsh dancer shared, “They’re [the medical team] confident that, all going well, I can expect a straightforward recovery.”
“Once I have healed I look forward to rejoining my Strictly family,” Dowden added.
She acknowledged that she would “of course” miss being actively involved in the show, but assured fans that she would be “watching from home and look forward to cheering everyone on.”
Dowden expressed her gratitude, stating, “Thank you always for all the support.”
The professional dancer initially disclosed her breast cancer diagnosis in May 2023, after discovering a lump in April, just before her honeymoon with fellow dancer Ben Jones.
Following her diagnosis, Dowden underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, which prevented her participation with a celebrity partner in that year’s season of the BBC dance competition.
Dowden openly documented her cancer experience online, and in February 2024, she shared the positive news that “no evidence of disease” was found during her most recent health check.
She returned to the dance floor several months later, partnering with former JLS member JB Gill.
However, she was subsequently forced to withdraw from Strictly midway through the 20th anniversary series due to an injury, with Lauren Oakley stepping in as her replacement.
Dowden made another comeback in this year’s series, where she was partnered with former Apprentice contestant and social media personality Thomas Skinner. They were eliminated in week two.
Her experiences with cancer and Crohn’s disease have been chronicled in the BBC documentaries Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me and Strictly Amy: Crohn’s And Me.
Earlier this year, she was formally recognized as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her contributions to fundraising and raising awareness of inflammatory bowel disease.
Beth Matthews, who also has Down’s syndrome, says watching the actor dance had made her “proud”.
Emily Paton, 14, ran 250k to raise money for a Jersey breast cancer charity.
When Kat Denisi was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32 she was put into a medically induced menopause.
It comes as speculation continues over who will replace presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.