Amy Dowden Anticipates Return to Dancing by Month’s End

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has indicated she might be able to dance again before the end of the month. Dowden withdrew from this year’s 20th anniversary series two weeks ago after sustaining an “insufficiency stress fracture” in her shin. Speaking with Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales, Dowden expressed her heartbreak over “more bad luck,” noting that she had previously missed the show last year while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Dowden clarified that her current injury is entirely unrelated to her previous health issues, adding that she requires rest but remains hopeful for a return. She stated she is undergoing physiotherapy for the injury and can walk on it, with doctors optimistically suggesting she could be dancing again by December. The Caerphilly-born dancer has faced a series of misfortunes, including fracturing her foot shortly after completing chemotherapy. She described the recent injury as a “totally different injury to the previous one,” which she said could have happened to anybody. “The doctor is saying I could be back dancing by the end of November so that’s what is keeping me going,” she said. “I am focusing on that, focusing on getting back on the dancefloor with Carlos and coming to Wales for our tour in Cardiff.” Dowden and fellow professional Carlos Gu are set to launch their Reborn UK tour in March next year, featuring two nights in the Welsh capital. Dancer Lauren Oakley replaced Dowden in the competition, partnering with celebrity, JLS singer JB Gill. Dowden conveyed being “so proud” of JB, who achieved 39 points in a Bruno Mars medley performance with Oakley on Saturday. She expressed high hopes for the pop star to reach the final. “I knew he would do well,” said Dowden, “I saved a lot of dances for the back end of the series which I knew would suit him and his style of dance.” When questioned about Radio Wales presenter and Strictly contestant Wynne Evans, she mentioned their “special Welsh connection” and acknowledged his significant support for her. “I saw him on Wednesday and he said sorry for my injury, he knew not to say more, I had a cry and he gave me a big welsh cwtch.” “He is embracing everything as a non-dancer, he has never danced before.” Dowden urged Wales to support him, stating that “there is no reason why he can’t go all the way.” “I am super proud of a fellow Welshy,” she said. According to Dowden, this year’s competition has been the strongest ever, with any of the nine remaining couples capable of reaching the final. Dowden was initially diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at the age of 32 in May 2023, after discovering a lump in her breast the day before her honeymoon. She shared her experience with breast cancer in a BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, which aired in September.