BBC Strictly Come Dancing confirms Amy Dowden's return after cancer diagnosis - full list of dancers returning for 2024

It has been confirmed that Amy Dowden will return to Strictly Come Dancing this year after being forced out of last year's series due to her cancer diagnosis.

The dancer was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year. She told how she found a lump in her breast in April 2023 the day before going to the Maldives on honeymoon with her husband Ben Jones, a fellow professional dancer. She was subsequently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.

Amy announced the news after undergoing a mastectomy and later bravely documented going through chemotherapy treatment which wasn't without its setbacks with the Welsh star developing sepsis and coming close to organ failure.

READ MORE: Real Housewives of Cheshire star Paige Chohan confirms daughter's full name as baby's head shaved in moving moment

Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link

But earlier this year, she was given the positive news that there was no evidence of disease. She will not receive the “all clear” for five years due to her type of cancer.

And now, she's been announced in the professional dancer line-up for Strictly 2024 with the BBC confirming the dance competition's return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn with "another spectacular series of glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances with the brand new series promising to be extra special as Strictly turns 20!"

The professional dancers who will be returning to Strictly alongside Amy later this year are Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will return as hosts and the judges' desks will see the return of Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke.

The BBC has also said that there will also be so much more for viewers to look forward to, including the phenomenal musical backdrop provided by Dave Arch and his wonderful band and the amazing singers, unforgettable group routines, world class music acts performing in the Strictly ballroom, theme weeks and of course the much anticipated trip to the North West of England as the show takes up residency for one week only in the iconic and much loved Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

Sarah James, Executive Producer, says: "This year Strictly marks two decades of entertaining the nation and we will be back with a bang in September as we celebrate in style with our incredible team both on and off screen."

In addition to all this, viewers are in for an extra special 20th birthday treat as a one-off programme will also be coming to BBC One and iPlayer that promises a journey through 20 years of unforgettable entertainment featuring iconic performances and plenty of heart-warming interviews with past celebrity stars, professional dancers, and judges too.