Amy Dowden didn't want chemo amid cancer fight as she knew it meant no Strictly

What did you miss?

Amy Dowden has revealed she didn't want chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer because she knew it would mean no Strictly.

The 33-year-old - who has been a pro on the BBC ballroom contest since 2017 - announced in May that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and in July said she been given a second cancer diagnosis.

She has now had a mastectomy and is undergoing chemo, but admitted she didn't want to at first.

What, how, and why?

Dowden opened up on Loose Women, where she told the panellists that when she discovered a lump shortly before she went on her honeymoon she just "knew" that it was cancer.

The dancer said she didn't tell her new husband Benjamin Jones right away because she didn't want to worry anyone until it was definite and also didn't want it to stop them going on their honeymoon.

She was diagnosed after they got back.

When one of the hosts asked if Dowden had been reluctant to have chemotherapy, she replied: "Yes.

"I knew that was it for Strictly that season."

Dowden said she had also just watched a friend have chemo and had seen what she went through.

"I was just really scared and I didn't want to lose my hair," she said.

"And I just didn't want to miss out on Strictly."

The star, who now has a wig after shaving off her hair as a way of taking back control, also said that her "life stopped in that moment" as she was diagnosed.

Star supported by Strictly friends

Dowden also talked about the great friendships she has made on Strictly and said her friends from the show had been "absolutely amazing".

"On a Saturday I know everyone is in hair and make-up or they are doing their dress rehearsal, the songs are about to play and I just, I would do anything to be there right now," she said.

"But I have just got to be patient and I keep saying to myself, 'This too shall pass'."

Loose Women airs at 12.30pm on ITV on weekdays

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