BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden breaks silence after line-up announced

Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden has revealed her joy after announcing she is returning to the hit BBC show this year. The professional dancer sadly had to sit out last year's show after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer just after her honeymoon.

Amy detailed her chemotherapy journey for fans and revealed how hard it was for her to watch the show from the sidelines and not be able to perform. But Amy was announced among the list of professional dancers returning to the show in 2024.

She later took to Instagram to share the wonderful news with fans. Amy wrote: "I’m so happy and grateful to be back on @bbcstrictly MY HEART IS SO HAPPY. The best team on and off the dance floor.

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"I can’t wait to be back doing what I love most in the world, dancing! Feel blessed and more excited than EVER. Bring it on! Thank you @bbcstrictly for your support always. Eeeeeekkk #amysback #strictlycomedancing #letsdothis #excited #cantwait #myheartissohappy

Her fellow Strictly stars and fans were delighted by the announcement. Fellow pro Vito Coppola wrote: "Beautiful Amy we are so happy to have you back. We have missed you. Be ready because I am going to lift you very high. We love you and I am sure I can speak for all us when I say that it was not same without you. Let’s gooooo and let’s start danciiiiing."

Michelle Tsiak said: "Can’t wait to have you back with us beautiful girl!" And Jowita Przystal added: "Yes!!!! Can’t wait to dance with you."

Amy joined Strictly in 2017. The Welsh dancer was first paired with Brian Conley and the duo only made it to Week Four of the competition. Amy fared better the following year with actor Danny John-Jules, as the pair scored the very first 10 of Strictly 2018, but sadly their journey was cut short in Week Eight of the competition.

She made it all the way to the Grand Final in 2019 with celeb partner Karim Zeroual, and had a strong run to the 2020 Quarter Final with JJ Chalmers. In 2021 she performed with McFly star Tom Fletcher, but the pair were sent home in Musicals Week and in 2022 she made it to Halloween Week with partner James Bye.