Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden diagnosed with breast cancer at 32
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The 32-year-old professional dancer, who has partnered with stars including McFly’s Tom Fletcher, EastEnders actor James Bye, and comedian Brian Conley during her time on Strictly, shared the news on social media.
“Hey all, I’ve got some news which isn’t easy to share,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I’m determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it.”
The Strictly dancer was partnered with McFly’s Tom Fletcher in 2021. Pic: BBC/Guy Levy
Dowden’s diagnosis comes less than a year since she married her long-term dance partner Ben Jones.
She also suffers from the bowel condition Crohn’s disease.
“I’ve been through quite a lot in my life and this is another hurdle,” she told Hello! magazine, in an interview sharing further details of her illness and diagnosis. “But if I’m positive and strong, I’ve got a really good chance of getting back out on the dancefloor as soon as possible.”
How charity event ‘potentially saved my life’
Dowden and her husband Ben Jones. Pic: Rex/Shutterstock
In June 2022, Dowden took part in a 100km fundraising walk, CoppaTrek! With Gi – led by I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! winner and Tom Fletcher’s wife Giovanna Fletcher – in support of breast health awareness charity CoppaFeel!.
She told Hello! it was this event that encouraged her to check her own breasts.
“CoppaFeel! has now potentially saved my life, because I don’t know how long this lump could have been there before I would have noticed and done something about it,” she said. “So me speaking out might end up saving some other people’s lives because they start checking their breasts.”
Dancing with EastEnders star James Bye in 2022
Treatment to include surgery
Dowden said she found a lump in her right breast in April, and was told earlier in May that she has grade three breast cancer.
“My doctor explained to me that there are three grades, and three is the most aggressive, but they feel like they’ve caught mine early and to not be too alarmed because grade three would be expected in somebody of my age,” she said.
Doctors have since found a second lump and the dancer is now waiting for a full treatment plan, but says it will “definitely include surgery”.
Strictly stars and other celebrities are among those who have sent messages of support to Dowden on Instagram.
TV and radio presenter Clara Amfo, who appeared on the show in 2020, wrote: “Darling Amy, sending you all the healing strength and love.”
Social media star Joe Sugg, who took part in 2018, said: “Sending you all the love, best wishes and strength Amy.”
Dancers including Dianne Buswell and Oti Mabuse also shared messages, with Buswell writing: “Our Welsh dragon is going to fight this !!!! and I can not wait for the moment you are back on that dance floor with us. We love you so much Amy.”
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Dame Joanna Lumley warns of ‘crisis hidden in plain sight’ – with 1.5 million older people set to spend Christmas alone
Dame Joanna Lumley has warned of a “crisis hidden in plain sight”, with 1.5 million older people set to spend Christmas alone.
Age UK spoke to more than 2,600 people and found 11% will eat dinner alone on 25 December, while 5% will not see or speak to anyone the whole day.
Applied to the overall population, the findings suggest 1.5 million people will eat alone at Christmas, according to the charity.
Dame Joanna said the “silence can be deafening” for those left isolated and called it “a crisis hidden in plain sight”.
The actor and campaigner is now joining other luminaries including Dame Judi Dench, Brian Cox and Miriam Margolyes to back Age UK’s campaign against loneliness.
The charity says its volunteers made more than 70,000 minutes’ worth of calls to people during Christmas week last year and is urging people to donate.
‘A tragedy we don’t talk about enough’
Age UK said it also supports coffee mornings and festive lunches to give lonely people the chance to enjoy in-person interaction.
Dame Judi said: “For so many older people, Christmas can be a time of silence – days without conversation or company.”
Succession star Brian Cox called the issue “a tragedy we don’t talk about enough”.
He said: “Far too many older people are left spending the season in silence, when it should be a time of warmth, connection and joy.”
Brian Cox is another of the campaign’s high-profile backers. Pic: PA
Margolyes, of Harry Potter fame, added: “Growing older shouldn’t mean disappearing into the background, we need to be seen, heard and celebrated.
“That’s what Age UK is striving for – they’re changing how we perceive age.”
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The charity’s chief executive, Paul Farmer, said: “Your donation could bring comfort, friendship, and care to an older person facing loneliness this winter.
“From friendly, weekly calls to local lunch clubs, we’re here to make sure no one spends winter alone. But we can’t do it without you.”
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