Yahoo News Strictly shares message for Amy Dowden as she misses launch
Strictly Come Dancing is back with a brand new season and Saturday night’s (September 16) launch show was packed full of glitter and sequins.
However, amid the excitement of the season 21 launch, Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly took the time to share a special message for Amy Dowden.
Earlier this year, professional dancer Dowden was diagnosed with breast cancer and, as a result, is missing the start of Strictly season while she undergoes treatment.
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Acknowledging Dowden’s absence from the launch show, Daly and Winkleman issued a heart-warming message.
"We are of course missing one of our professional dancers," Daly told viewers. "Our gorgeous Amy Dowden is unwell and she can't be with us for the start of the series.
"But she's our Welsh dragon and we know she'll be back soon."
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"Amy, from your entire Strictly family we're sending all our love and we cannot wait to have you back on the dancefloor," Winkleman added.
Introducing a special group dance featuring the Strictly judges and professionals, Daly dedicated the performance to Dowden.
"This one's for you," the presenter remarked.
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Revealing her diagnosis back in May, Dowden insisted she's determined to get back to dancing as soon as she can.
"I've been through quite a lot in my life and this is another hurdle," Amy told Hello!. "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."
The dancer has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment in recent weeks and has been regularly updating fans on her health journey on Instagram.
Strictly Come Dancing airs weekends on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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