The BBCStrictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has opened up about her cancer journey and return to the dance floor as she prepares to go on tour – and reveals the personal goal that helped her continue her treatment. of
The actor has described how dance made him who he is today – and gave him the passion and drive to tackle a treatment that was harder than he imagined.
“Dance is my life. It’s everything,” said the Caerphilly-born dancer. “It’s my savior. It’s taught me a lot. And I believe it’s made me who I am today.”
Dowden and co-star Carlos Gow kicked off 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 winnerDowden described the program as an “incredible, magical show”.
Dowden had to pull out of that year’s series Foot injury In November, another blow came when she missed the previous series after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
She said: “Dancing on Strictly Come Dancing this year meant everything. Since those words ‘Sorry Amy, you’ve got cancer’, my goal Back on the dance floor Strictly was to return.
“Then to have that taken away from me with a foot injury was just devastating.”
After Dowden’s exit, Birmingham-based professional dancer Lauren Oakley took over to dance with Dowden’s partner JB Gill and the pair progressed to the final.
Dowden said it was “fantastic” to encourage her and now, after being treated for cancer, she wakes up every day “happy to see that sun rise again”.
It was announced earlier this week. That the 34-year-old will return to Strictly Come Dancing for his live tour, which opens on January 17 at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.
Gow, who supported Dowden through her treatment, has described her heartbreak after her diagnosis and her pride at seeing that she never gave up.
He said: “The determination, the strength in itself. It was beautiful to see.”
She added that the experience has transformed her into a “more incredible” version of herself, given what she went through, adding: “I’m really, really proud.”
As the pair prepare for a new tour, opening March 10 at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, Dowden said: “It’s a lovely opening here because it’s my home.”
The actor, who runs Cradley Heath-based Art in Motion dance studio for students aged two and up, said his dance students, friends and family would be there.
She said she loves teaching dance, but also wants to have the right attitude, urging her students to “always stay true to yourself and never give up.”
She is also working on “giving back to the charities that saved my life.”
Gu said the show was inspired by both his journeys, Dowden’s journey through cancer and his own move from China to the UK, where he is embarking on a new life.
“We’re both basically reincarnated,” Doden said.
She said the show – which included dance styles from Latin and ballroom to flamenco and Argentine tango – took people on an emotional journey inspired by their own struggles but also their joy and their also showed the inspiring moments they had seen.
He also talked about how important it is to have a goal to work towards.
“I say that to anyone who’s newly diagnosed,” Doden said.
“Whether it’s working toward a vacation, going back to work, visiting in some way or whatever — have that little goal to really push yourself.”
She added: “I used to tick everything – every chemo, tick; every blood test appointment, tick; every oncologist [and] rescan – everything was a little ticked along the way.”
Dowden underwent treatment for stage three breast cancer in 2023.
After chemotherapy treatments and a mastectomy, she announced in February that tests showed she had “no evidence of disease”.
He said the pair hoped audiences would find their new show uplifting and inspiring, adding: “I hope to show them my motto.”
“Don’t be bitter, get better.”